Thermal flow meter with a case having an external terminal for outputting an electric signal

ABSTRACT

Provided is a thermal flow meter to improve the measurement accuracy of a temperature detector. The thermal flow meter includes a bypass passage through which a measurement target gas flowing through a main passage flows, and a circuit package which includes a measurement circuit for measuring a flow rate of the measurement target gas flowing through the bypass passage and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of the measurement target gas. The circuit package includes a circuit package body which is molded by a resin to internally envelope the measurement circuit and a protrusion molded by the resin. The temperature detecting portion is provided in the leading end portion of the protrusion, and at least the leading end portion of the protrusion protrudes to the outside from a housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/407,169, filed Dec. 11, 2014, which claims priority from International Application No. PCT/JP2013/063476, filed May 15, 2013, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-135305, filed Jun. 15, 2012, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a thermal flow meter.

BACKGROUND ART

A flow rate of a gas is measured, a temperature of the gas is measured, and the flow rate and the temperature of the gas thus measured are used as parameters to perform control. In this way, the control accuracy can be improved by using the measured temperature of the gas in addition to the measured flow rate of the gas for control. For example, in the control of an internal combustion engine used for driving a vehicle, the control accuracy is improved by using a temperature of an intake air is measured in addition to the intake air guided to the internal combustion engine in order to calculate a fuel supply amount of the internal combustion engine or an ignition timing. A thermal flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the gas and an intake air temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the gas are separately provided, and wiring lines are respectively used for the measurement. However, there is a known technology in which the thermal flow meter and the intake air temperature sensor are combined into one measurement device, for example, an internal combustion engine in which these components are provide in an intake pipe. The measurement device includes two circuits of the thermal flow meter and the intake air temperature sensor, the flow rate of the gas is measured by the thermal flow meter, and the temperature of the intake air is detected by the intake air temperature sensor which is attached in the thermal flow meter. Such a technology is disclosed, for example, JP 2008-209243 A.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PLT 1: JP 2008-209243 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the technology disclosed in PLT 1, the detection elements for detecting the flow rate of the gas and the temperature of the gas are separately arranged, and the respective elements are electrically connected to each other in the measurement target gas. However, the arrangement in such a state of the respective elements connected in the measurement target gas may cause various problems while maintaining reliability. It is difficult to maintain the reliability and measurement accuracy at a high level for detecting the temperature simply by providing a flow meter for measuring the flow rate and a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the gas into one device. It is preferable to obtain the high measurement accuracy for the temperature detection while securing the reliability.

The present invention has been made to provide a thermal flow meter which can maintain the reliability in the temperature detection and detect a temperature with high measurement accuracy, and includes a gas temperature detecting portion.

Solution to Problem

A thermal flow meter according to the invention to solve the above problem includes a bypass passage into which a measurement target gas flowing through a main passage flows, a circuit package which includes a measurement circuit for measuring a flow rate by performing heat transfer with the measurement target gas flowing through the bypass passage and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of the measurement target gas, and a case which includes an external terminal for outputting an electric signal representing the flow rate and an electric signal representing a temperature of the measurement target gas and supports the circuit package. The case includes a resin housing which supports the circuit package. The circuit package is configured to envelope the measurement circuit and the temperature detecting portion with a resin. The temperature detecting portion includes a protrusion protruding from a circuit package body. At least the leading end portion of the protrusion protrudes to the outside from the housing.

Furthermore, a thermal flow meter includes a bypass passage into which a measurement target gas flowing through a main passage flows, a circuit package which includes a measurement circuit for measuring a flow rate by performing heat transfer with the measurement target gas flowing through the bypass passage and a temperature detecting portion for detecting a temperature of the measurement target gas, and a case which includes an external terminal for outputting an electric signal representing the flow rate and an electric signal representing a temperature of the measurement target gas and supports the circuit package. The case includes a resin housing which supports the circuit package. The housing includes a first housing having the bypass passage and a second housing positioned on a side near the flange from the first housing. An air passage is provided between the first housing and the second housing to flow the measurement target gas flowing through the main passage. The circuit package includes a circuit package body which is molded by a resin to internally envelope the measurement circuit and a protrusion molded by the resin. The temperature detecting portion is provided in the leading end portion of the protrusion, and at least the leading end portion of the protrusion protrudes to the outside from a housing. The opening of the air passage provided between the first housing and the second housing is provided at a position of the protrusion.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermal flow meter which can maintain the reliability in temperature detection and detect a temperature with high measurement accuracy, and includes a gas temperature detecting portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating an internal combustion engine control system where a thermal flow meter according to an embodiment of the invention is used.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an appearance of the thermal flow meter, in which FIG. 2A is a left side view, and FIG. 2B is a front view.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an appearance of the thermal flow meter, in which FIG. 3A is a right side view, and FIG. 3B is a rear view.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an appearance of the thermal flow meter, in which FIG. 4A is a plan view, and FIG. 4B is a bottom view.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a housing of the thermal flow meter, in which FIG. 5A is a left side view of the housing, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the housing.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a housing of the thermal flow meter, in which FIG. 6A is a right side view of the housing, and FIG. 6B is a rear view of the housing.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a state of a flow path surface arranged in the bypass passage.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams illustrating an appearance of a front cover, in which FIG. 8A is a left side view, FIG. 8B is a front view, and FIG. 8C is a plan view.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an appearance of a rear cover 304, in which FIG. 9A is a left side view, FIG. 9B is a front view, and FIG. 9C is a plan view.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of a terminal connector.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are exterior views illustrating a circuit package, in which FIG. 11A is a left side view, FIG. 11B is a front view, and FIG. 11C is a rear view.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state that circuit components are mounted on a frame of the circuit package.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a diaphragm and a link channel that connects an opening and a gap inside the diaphragm.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a condition of the circuit package after a first resin molding process.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating another embodiment of the circuit package of FIGS. 11A to 11C, in which FIG. 15A is a front view of the circuit package, and FIG. 15B is a rear view.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the manufacturing process of the circuit package.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a manufacturing process of the thermal flow meter.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an overview of another embodiment of the manufacturing process of the thermal flow meter.

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram illustrating a flow rate detection circuit of the thermal flow meter.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram for describing an air flow sensing portion of the flow rate detection circuit.

FIG. 21 is a front view illustrating another embodiment of the housing which includes the thermal flow meter.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of detecting a temperature of a measurement target gas.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a temperature detecting portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Examples for embodying the invention described below (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) solves various problems desired as a practical product. In particular, the embodiments solve various problems for use in a measurement device for measuring an intake air amount of a vehicle and exhibit various effects. One of various problems addressed by the following embodiments is described in the “Problems to Be Solved by the Invention” described above, and one of various effects obtained by the following embodiments is described in the “Effects of the Invention.” Various problems solved by the following embodiments and various effects obtained the following embodiments will be further described in the “Description of Embodiments.” Therefore, it would be appreciated that the following embodiments also include other effects or problems obtained or addressed by the embodiments than those described in “Problems to Be Solved by the Invention” or “Effects of the Invention.”

In the following embodiments, like reference numerals denote like elements even when they are inserted in different drawings, and they have the same functional effects. The components that have been described in previous paragraphs may not be described by denoting reference numerals and signs in the drawings.

1. Internal Combustion Engine Control System Having Thermal Flow Meter According to One Embodiment of the Invention

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating an electronic fuel injection type internal combustion engine control system having a thermal flow meter according to one embodiment of the invention. Based on the operation of an internal combustion engine 110 having an engine cylinder 112 and an engine piston 114, an intake air as a measurement target gas 30 is inhaled from an air cleaner 122 and is guided to a combustion chamber of the engine cylinder 112 through a main passage 124 including, for example, an intake body, a throttle body 126, and an intake manifold 128. A flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 as an intake air guided to the combustion chamber is measured by a thermal flow meter 300 according to the invention. A fuel is supplied from a fuel injection valve 152 based on the measured flow rate and is mixed with the intake air, so that the mixed gas is guided to the combustion chamber. It is noted that, in this embodiment, the fuel injection valve 152 is provided in an intake port of the internal combustion engine, and the fuel injected to the intake port is mixed with the measurement target gas 30 as an intake air to form a mixed gas, so that the mixed gas is guided to the combustion chamber through an inlet valve 116 to generate mechanical energy by burning.

In recent years, in many vehicles, a direct fuel injection method having excellent effects in exhaust gas purification or fuel efficiency improvement is employed, in which a fuel injection valve 152 is installed in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine, and fuel is directly injected into each combustion chamber from the fuel injection valve 152. The thermal flow meter 300 may be similarly used in a type in which fuel is directly injected into each combustion chamber as well as a type in which fuel is injected into the intake port of the internal combustion engine of FIG. 1. A method of measuring control parameters, including a method of using the thermal flow meter 300, and a method of controlling the internal combustion engine, including a fuel supply amount or an ignition timing, are similar in basic concept between both types. A representative example of both types, a type in which fuel is injected into the intake port is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The fuel and the air guided to the combustion chamber have a fuel/air mixed state and are explosively combusted by spark ignition of the ignition plug 154 to generate mechanical energy. The gas after combustion is guided to an exhaust pipe from the exhaust valve 118 and is discharged to the outside of the vehicle from the exhaust pipe as an exhaust gas 24. The flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 as an intake air guided to the combustion chamber is controlled by the throttle valve 132 of which opening level changes in response to manipulation of an accelerator pedal. The fuel supply amount is controlled based on the flow rate of the intake air guided to the combustion chamber, and a driver controls an opening level of the throttle valve 132, so that the flow rate of the intake air guided to the combustion chamber is controlled. As a result, it is possible to control mechanical energy generated by the internal combustion engine.

1.1 Overview of Control of Internal Combustion Engine Control System

The flow rate and the temperature of the measurement target gas 30 as an intake air that is received from the air cleaner 122 and flows through the main passage 124 are measured by the thermal flow meter 300, and an electric signal representing the flow rate and the temperature of the intake air is input to the control device 200 from the thermal flow meter 300. In addition, an output of the throttle angle sensor 144 that measures an opening level of the throttle valve 132 is input to the control device 200, and an output of a rotation angle sensor 146 is input to the control device 200 to measure a position or a condition of the engine piston 114, the inlet valve 116, or the exhaust valve 118 of the internal combustion engine and a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. In order to measure a mixed ratio state between the fuel amount and the air amount from the condition of exhaust gas 24, an output of an oxygen sensor 148 is input to the control device 200.

The control device 200 computes a fuel injection amount or an ignition timing based on a flow rate of the intake air as an output of the thermal flow meter 300 and a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine measured from an output of the rotation angle sensor 146. Based on the computation result of them, a fuel amount supplied from the fuel injection valve 152 and an ignition timing for igniting the ignition plug 154 are controlled. In practice, the fuel supply amount or the ignition timing is further accurately controlled based on a change of the intake temperature or the throttle angle measured by the thermal flow meter 300, a change of the engine rotation speed, and an air-fuel ratio state measured by the oxygen sensor 148. In the idle driving state of the internal combustion engine, the control device 200 further controls the air amount bypassing the throttle valve 132 using an idle air control valve 156 and controls a rotation speed of the internal combustion engine under the idle driving state.

1.2 Improvement of Measurement Accuracy of Thermal Flow Meter having Temperature Detecting Function of Intake Air and Environment for Mounting Thermal Flow Meter

Both of the fuel supply amount and the ignition timing as main control amounts of the internal combustion engine are calculated using the output of the thermal flow meter 300 as a main parameter. In addition, a control parameter is calibrated based on a temperature of the intake air as needed. Improvement of measurement accuracy, suppression of aging, and improvement of reliability in the thermal flow meter 300 are important for improvement of control accuracy of a vehicle or obtainment of reliability. In particular, in recent years, there are a lot of demands for fuel saving of the vehicle and exhaust gas purification. In order to satisfy such demands, it is significantly important to improve the measurement accuracy of the flow rate of the intake air which is measured by the thermal flow meter 300. In addition, it is also important to maintain a high reliability of the thermal flow meter 300.

A vehicle having the thermal flow meter 300 is used under an environment where a temperature change is significant or a coarse weather such as a storm or snow. When a vehicle travels a snowy road, it travels through a road on which an anti-freezing agent is sprayed. It is preferable that the thermal flow meter 300 be designed considering a countermeasure for the temperature change or a countermeasure for dust or pollutants under such a use environment. Furthermore, the thermal flow meter 300 is installed under an environment where the internal combustion engine is subjected to vibration. It is also desired to maintain high reliability for vibration.

The thermal flow meter 300 is installed in the intake pipe influenced by heat from the internal combustion engine. For this reason, the heat generated from the internal combustion engine is transferred to the thermal flow meter 300 via the intake pipe which is a main passage 124. Since the thermal flow meter 300 measures the flow rate of the measurement target gas by transferring heat with the measurement target gas, it is important to suppress influence of the heat from the outside as much as possible.

The thermal flow meter 300 mounted on a vehicle solves the problems described in “Problems to Be Solved by the Invention” and provides the effects described in “Effects of the Invention” as described below. In addition, as described below, it solves various problems demanded as a product and provides various effects considering various problems described above. Specific problems or effects solved or provided by the thermal flow meter 300 will be described in the following description of embodiments.

2. Configuration of Thermal Flow Meter 300

2.1 Exterior Structure of Thermal Flow Meter 300

FIGS. 2(A), 2(B), 3(A), 3(B), 4(A), and 4(B) are diagrams illustrating an appearance of the thermal flow meter 300, in which FIG. 2(A) is a left side view of the thermal flow meter 300, FIG. 2(B) is a front view, FIG. 3(A) is a right side view, FIG. 3(B) is a rear view, FIG. 4(A) is a plan view, and FIG. 4(B) is a bottom view. The thermal flow meter 300 includes a case 301. The case 301 includes a housing 302, a front cover 303, and a rear cover 304. The housing 302 includes a flange 312 which fixes the thermal flow meter 300 to an intake body as a main passage 124, an external connector 305 which has external terminals 306 for making electrical connection with an external device, and a measuring portion 310 which measures a flow rate. The measuring portion 310 is internally provided with a bypass passage trench for making a bypass passage. Further, the measuring portion 310 includes a circuit package 400. The circuit package 400 includes an air flow sensing portion 602 (refer to FIG. 19) which measures the flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the main passage 124 and a temperature detecting portion 452 which measures a temperature of the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the main passage 124.

2.2 Effects Based on Exterior Structure of Thermal Flow Meter 300

Since the inlet port 350 of the thermal flow meter 300 is provided in the leading end side of the measuring portion 310 extending toward the center direction of the main passage 124 from the flange 312, the gas in the vicinity of the center portion distant from the inner wall surface instead of the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the main passage 124 may be input to the bypass passage. For this reason, the thermal flow meter 300 can measure a flow rate or a temperature of the air distant from the inner wall surface of the main passage 124 of the thermal flow meter 300, so that it is possible to suppress a decrease of the measurement accuracy caused by influence of heat and the like. In the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the main passage 124, the thermal flow meter 300 is easily influenced by the temperature of the main passage 124, so that the temperature of the measurement target gas 30 has a different condition from an original temperature of the gas and exhibits a condition different from an average condition of the main gas inside the main passage 124. In particular, if the main passage 124 serves as an intake body of the engine, it may be influenced by the heat from the engine and remains in a high temperature. For this reason, the gas in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the main passage 124 has a temperature higher than the original temperature of the main passage 124 in many cases, so that this degrades the measurement accuracy.

In the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the main passage 124, a fluid resistance increases, and a flow velocity decreases, compared to an average flow velocity in the main passage 124. For this reason, if the gas in the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the main passage 124 is input to the bypass passage as the measurement target gas 30, a decrease of the flow velocity against the average flow velocity in the main passage 124 may generate a measurement error. In the thermal flow meter 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2(A), 2(B), 3(A), 3(B), and 4(A) to 4(C), since the inlet port 350 is provided in the leading end of the thin and long measuring portion 310 extending to the center of the main passage 124 from the flange 312, it is possible to reduce a measurement error relating to a decrease of the flow velocity in the vicinity of the inner wall surface. In the thermal flow meter 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2(A), 2(B), 3(A), 3(B), and 4(A) to 4(C), in addition to the inlet port 350 provided in the leading end of the measuring portion 310 extending to the center of the main passage 124 from the flange 312, an outlet port of the bypass passage is also provided in the leading end of the measuring portion 310. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the measurement error.

The measuring portion 310 of the thermal flow meter 300 has a shape extending from the flange 312 to the center direction of the main passage 124, and its leading end is provided with the inlet port 350 for inputting a part of the measurement target gas 30 such as an intake air to the bypass passage and the outlet port 352 for returning the measurement target gas 30 from the bypass passage to the main passage 124. While the measuring portion 310 has a shape extending along an axis directed to the center from the outer wall of the main passage 124, its width has a narrow shape as illustrated in FIG. 2(A) or 3(A). That is, the measuring portion 310 of the thermal flow meter 300 has a front surface having an approximately rectangular shape and a side surface having a thin width. As a result, the thermal flow meter 300 can have a bypass passage having a sufficient length, and it is possible to suppress a fluid resistance to a small value for the measurement target gas 30. For this reason, using the thermal flow meter 300, it is possible to suppress the fluid resistance to a small value and measure the flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 with high accuracy.

2.3 Structure and Effects of Measuring Portion 310

An upstream-side protrusion 317 and a downstream-side protrusion 318 are provided in the upstream-side side surface and the downstream-side side surface, respectively, of the measuring portion 310 included in the thermal flow meter 300. The upstream-side protrusion 317 and the downstream-side protrusion 318 have a shape narrowed along the leading end to the base, so that it is possible to reduce a fluid resistance of the measurement target gas 30 as an intake air flowing through the main passage 124. The upstream-side protrusion 317 is provided between the thermal insulation 315 and the inlet port 343. The upstream-side protrusion 317 has a large cross section and receives a large heat conduction from the flange 312 or the thermal insulation 315. However, the upstream-side protrusion 317 is cut near the inlet port 343, and a length of the temperature detecting portion 452 from the temperature detecting portion 452 of the upstream-side protrusion 317 increases due to the hollow of the upstream-side outer wall of the housing 302 as described below. For this reason, the heat conduction is suppressed from the thermal insulation 315 to the support portion of the temperature detecting portion 452.

In addition, a terminal connector 320 and a gap including the terminal connector 320 described below are formed between the flange 312 or the thermal insulation 315 and the temperature detecting portion 452. For this reason, a distance between the flange 312 or the thermal insulation 315 and the temperature detecting portion 452 becomes long, and the front cover 303 or the rear cover 304 is provided in this long portion which serves as a cooling surface. Therefore, it is possible to reduce an influence of the temperature of the wall surface of the main passage 124 onto the temperature detecting portion 452. In addition, since the distance between the flange 312 or the thermal insulation 315 and the temperature detecting portion 452 becomes long, it is possible to guide the measurement target gas 30 input to the bypass passage in the vicinity of the center of the main passage 124. It is possible to suppress a decrease of the measurement accuracy concerned with the wall surface of the main passage 124.

As illustrated in FIG. 2(B) or 3(B), both side surfaces of the measuring portion 310 inserted into the main passage 124 have a very narrow shape, and a leading end of the downstream-side protrusion 318 or the upstream-side protrusion 317 has a narrow shape relative to the base where the air resistance is reduced. For this reason, it is possible to suppress an increase of the fluid resistance caused by insertion of the thermal flow meter 300 into the main passage 124. Furthermore, in the portion where the downstream-side protrusion 318 or the upstream-side protrusion 317 is provided, the upstream-side protrusion 317 or the downstream-side protrusion 318 protrudes toward both sides relative to both side portions of the front cover 303 or the rear cover 304. Since the upstream-side protrusion 317 or the downstream-side protrusion 318 is formed of a resin molding, they are easily formed in a shape having an insignificant air resistance. Meanwhile, the front cover 303 or the rear cover 304 is shaped to have a wide cooling surface. For this reason, the thermal flow meter 300 has a reduced air resistance and can be easily cooled by the measurement target air flowing through the main passage 124.

2.4 Structure and Effects of Flange 312

The flange 312 is provided with a plurality of hollows 314 on its lower surface which is a portion facing the main passage 124, so as to reduce a heat transfer surface with the main passage 124 and make it difficult for the thermal flow meter 300 to receive influence of the heat. The screw hole 313 of the flange 312 is provided to fix the thermal flow meter 300 to the main passage 124, and a space is formed between a surface facing the main passage 124 around each screw hole 313 and the main passage 124 such that the surface facing the main passage 124 around the screw hole 313 recedes from the main passage 124. As a result, the flange 312 has a structure capable of reducing heat transfer from the main passage 124 to the thermal flow meter 300 and preventing degradation of the measurement accuracy caused by heat. Furthermore, in addition to the heat conduction reduction effect, the hollow 314 can reduce influence of contraction of the resin of the flange 312 during the formation of the housing 302.

The thermal insulation 315 is provided in the measuring portion 310 side of the flange 312. The measuring portion 310 of the thermal flow meter 300 is inserted into the inside from an installation hole provided in the main passage 124 so that the thermal insulation 315 faces the inner surface of the installation hole of the main passage 124. The main passage 124 serves as, for example, an intake body, and is maintained at a high temperature in many cases. Conversely, it is conceived that the main passage 124 is maintained at a significantly low temperature when the operation is activated in a cold district. If such a high or low temperature condition of the main passage 124 affects the temperature detecting portion 452 or the measurement of the flow rate described below, the measurement accuracy is degraded. For this reason, a plurality of hollows 316 are provided side by side in the thermal insulation 315 adjacent to the hole inner surface of the main passage 124, and a width of the thermal insulation 315 adjacent to the hole inner surface between the neighboring hollows 316 is significantly thin, which is equal to or smaller than ⅓ of the width of the fluid flow direction of the hollow 316. As a result, it is possible to reduce influence of temperature. In addition, a portion of the thermal insulation 315 becomes thick. During a resin molding of the housing 302, when the resin is cooled from a high temperature to a low temperature and is solidified, volumetric shrinkage occurs so that a deformation is generated as a stress occurs. By forming the hollow 316 in the thermal insulation 315, it is possible to more uniformize the volumetric shrinkage and reduce stress concentration.

The measuring portion 310 of the thermal flow meter 300 is inserted into the inside from the installation hole provided in the main passage 124 and is fixed to the main passage 124 using the flange 312 of the thermal flow meter 300 with screws. The thermal flow meter 300 is preferably fixed to the installation hole provided in the main passage 124 with a predetermined positional relationship. The hollow 314 provided in the flange 312 may be used to determine a positional relationship between the main passage 124 and the thermal flow meter 300. By forming the convex portion in the main passage 124, it is possible to provide an insertion relationship between the convex portion and the hollow 314 and fix the thermal flow meter 300 to the main passage 124 in an accurate position.

2.5 Structures and Effects of External Connector 305 and Flange 312

FIG. 4(A) is a plan view illustrating the thermal flow meter 300. Four external terminal 306 and a calibration terminal 307 are provided inside the external connector 305. The external terminals 306 include terminals for outputting the flow rate and the temperature as a measurement result of the thermal flow meter 300 and a power terminal for supplying DC power for operating the thermal flow meter 300. The calibration terminal 307 is used to measures the produced thermal flow meter 300 to obtain a calibration value of each thermal flow meter 300 and store the calibration value in an internal memory of the thermal flow meter 300. In the subsequent measurement operation of the thermal flow meter 300, the calibration data representing the calibration value stored in the memory is used, and the calibration terminal 307 is not used. Therefore, in order to prevent the calibration terminal 307 from hindering connection between the external terminals 306 and other external devices, the calibration terminal 307 has a shape different from that of the external terminal 306. In this embodiment, since the calibration terminal 307 is shorter than the external terminal 306, the calibration terminal 307 does not hinder connection even when the connection terminal connected to the external terminal 306 for connection to external devices is inserted into the external connector 305. In addition, since a plurality of hollows 308 are provided along the external terminal 306 inside the external connector 305, the hollows 308 reduce stress concentration caused by shrinkage of resin when the resin as a material of the flange 312 is cooled and solidified.

Since the calibration terminal 307 is provided in addition to the external terminal 306 used during the measurement operation of the thermal flow meter 300, it is possible to measure characteristics of each thermal flow meter 300 before shipping to obtain a variation of the product and store a calibration value for reducing the variation in the internal memory of the thermal flow meter 300. The calibration terminal 307 is formed in a shape different from that of the external terminal 306 in order to prevent the calibration terminal 307 from hindering connection between the external terminal 306 and external devices after the calibration value setting process. In this manner, using the thermal flow meter 300, it is possible to reduce a variation of each thermal flow meter 300 before shipping and improve measurement accuracy.

3. Entire Structure of Housing 302 and Its Effects

3.1 Structures and Effects of Bypass Passage and Air Flow Sensing Portion

FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B) illustrate a state of the housing 302 when the front and rear covers 303 and 304 are removed from the thermal flow meter 300. FIG. 5(A) is a left side view illustrating the housing 302, FIG. 5(B) is a front view illustrating the housing 302, FIG. 6(A) is a right side view illustrating the housing 302, and FIG. 6(B) is a rear view illustrating the housing 302. In the housing 302, the measuring portion 310 extends from the flange 312 to the center direction of the main passage 124, and a bypass passage trench for forming the bypass passage is provided in its leading end side. In this embodiment, the bypass passage trench is provided on both frontside and backside of the housing 302. FIG. 5(B) illustrates a bypass passage trench on frontside 332, and FIG. 6(B) illustrates a bypass passage trench on backside 334. Since an inlet trench 351 for forming the inlet port 350 of the bypass passage and an outlet trench 353 for forming the outlet port 352 are provided in the leading end of the housing 302, the gas distant from the inner wall surface of the main passage 124, that is, the gas flow through the vicinity of the center of the main passage 124 can be received as the measurement target gas 30 from the inlet port 350. The gas flowing through the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the main passage 124 is influenced by the temperature of the wall surface of the main passage 124 and has a temperature different from the average temperature of the gas flowing through the main passage 124 such as the intake air in many cases. In addition, the gas flowing through the vicinity of the inner wall surface of the main passage 124 has a flow velocity lower than the average flow velocity of the gas flowing through the main passage 124 in many cases. Since the thermal flow meter 300 according to the embodiment is resistant to such influence, it is possible to suppress a decrease of the measurement accuracy.

The bypass passage formed by the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 or the bypass passage trench on backside 334 described above is connecter to the thermal insulation 315 through the outer wall hollow portion 366, the upstream-side outer wall 335, or the downstream-side outer wall 336. In addition, the upstream-side outer wall 335 is provided with the upstream-side protrusion 317, and the downstream-side outer wall 336 is provided with the downstream-side protrusion 318. In this structure, since the thermal flow meter 300 is fixed to the main passage 124 using the flange 312, the measuring portion 310 having the circuit package 400 is fixed to the main passage 124 with high reliability.

In this embodiment, the housing 302 is provided with the bypass passage trench for forming the bypass passage, and the covers are installed on the frontside and backside of the housing 302, so that the bypass passage is formed by the bypass passage trench and the covers. In this structure, it is possible to form overall bypass passage trenches as a part of the housing 302 in the resin molding process of the housing 302. In addition, since the dies are provided in both surfaces of the housing 302 during formation of the housing 302, it is possible to form both the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 and bypass passage trench on backside 334 as a part of the housing 302 by using the dies for both the surfaces. Since the front and rear covers 303 and 304 are provided in both the surfaces of the housing 302, it is possible to obtain the bypass passages in both surfaces of the housing 302. Since the front and bypass passage trench on frontside 332 and bypass passage trenches on backside 334 are formed on both the surfaces of the housing 302 using the dies, it is possible to form the bypass passage with high accuracy and obtain high productivity.

In FIG. 6(B), a part of the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the main passage 124 is input to the inside of the bypass passage trench on backside 334 from the inlet trench 351 that forms the inlet port 350, and flows through the bypass passage trench on backside 334. The bypass passage trench on backside 334 gradually deepens as it goes inside, and the measurement target gas 30 slowly moves to the front direction as it flows along the trench. In particular, the bypass passage trench on backside 334 is provided with a steep slope portion 347 that steeply deepens at the front side of a hole 342, so that a part of the air having a light mass moves along the steep slope portion 347 and then flows to the side of a measurement surface 430 illustrated in FIG. 5(B) from the hole 342. Meanwhile, since a foreign object having a heavy mass has difficulty in steeply changing its path, the foreign object moves to the side of a backside of measurement surface 431 illustrated in FIG. 6(B). Then, the foreign object flows to the measurement surface 430 illustrated in FIG. 5(B) through a hole 341.

In the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 of FIG. 5(B), the air as a measurement target gas 30 moving from the hole 342 to the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 side flows along the measurement surface 430, and heat transfer is performed with the air flow sensing portion 602 for measuring a flow rate using the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided in the measurement surface 430 in order to measure a flow rate. Both the measurement target gas 30 passing through the measurement surface 430 or the air flowing from the hole 341 to the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 flow along the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 and are discharged from the outlet trench 353 for forming the outlet port 352 to the main passage 124.

A substance having a heavy mass such as a contaminant mixed in the measurement target gas 30 has a high inertial force and has difficulty in steeply changing its path to the deep side of the trench along the surface of the steep slope portion 347 of FIG. 6(B) where a depth of the trench steeply deepens. For this reason, since a foreign object having a heavy mass moves through the side of the backside of measurement surface 431, it is possible to suppress the foreign object from passing through the vicinity of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436. In this embodiment, since most of foreign objects having a heavy mass other than the gas pass through the backside of measurement surface 431 which is a rear surface of the measurement surface 430, it is possible to reduce influence of contamination caused by a foreign object such as an oil component, carbon, or a contaminant and suppress degradation of the measurement accuracy. That is, since the path of the measurement target gas 30 steeply changes along an axis across the flow axis of the main passage 124, it is possible to reduce influence of a foreign object mixed in the measurement target gas 30.

In this embodiment, the flow path including the bypass passage trench on backside 334 is directed to the flange from the leading end of the housing 302 along a curved line, and the gas flowing through the bypass passage in the side closest to the flange flows reversely to the flow of the main passage 124, so that the bypass passage in the rear surface side as one side of this reverse flow is connected to the bypass passage formed in the front surface side as the other side. As a result, it is possible to easily fix the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 of the circuit package 400 to the bypass passage and easily receive the measurement target gas 30 in the position close to the center of the main passage 124.

In the embodiment, the hole 342 and the hole 341 are provided on the front and backsides in a flow direction of the measurement surface 430 for measuring the flow rate to penetrate the bypass passage trench on backside 334 and the bypass passage trench on frontside 332. Using the hole 342 and the hole 341 provided to penetrate the bypass passage trench, the bypass passage is molded such that the measurement target gas 30 moves from the bypass passage trench on backside 334 molded in one surface of the housing 302 to the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 molded in the other surface of the housing 302. With this configuration, it is possible to mold the bypass passage trenches on both surfaces of the housing 302 through a single resin molding process along a structure for connecting the both surfaces.

In addition, since the hole 342 and the hole 341 are provided on both sides of the measurement surface 430 molded in the circuit package 400, it is possible to prevent an inflow of the resin into the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 molded in the measurement surface 430 by using dies for molding the hole 342 and the hole 341 on the both sides. In addition, since the hole 342 and the hole 341 are molded on the upstream side and on the downstream side of the measurement surface 430, when the circuit package 400 is fixed to the housing 302 by the resin molding process, the dies are arranged using these holes, so that the circuit package 400 can be positioned and fixed by the dies.

In the embodiment, two holes (the hole 342 and the hole 341) are provided as the holes penetrating the bypass passage trench on backside 334 and the bypass passage trench on frontside 332. However, even when the two holes including the hole 342 and the hole 341 are not provided, in a case where any one of the holes is used, it is possible to form the structure of the bypass passage connecting the bypass passage trench on backside 334 and the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 by the single resin molding process.

Further, an inside wall of bypass passage on backside 391 and an outside wall of bypass passage on backside 392 are provided on both sides of the bypass passage trench on backside 334, and the inner side surface of the rear cover 304 abuts on the leading end portion in the height direction of each of the inside wall of bypass passage on backside 391 and the outside wall of bypass passage on backside 392, so that the bypass passage on backside of the housing 302 is molded. In addition, an inside wall of bypass passage on frontside 393 and an outside wall of bypass passage on frontside 394 are provided on both sides of the bypass passage trench on frontside 332, and the inner side surface of the rear cover 304 abuts on the leading end portion in the height direction of each of the inside wall of bypass passage on frontside 393 and the outside wall of bypass passage on frontside 394, so that the bypass passage on frontside of the housing 302 is molded.

In this embodiment, the measurement target gas 30 dividingly flows through the measurement surface 430 and its rear surface, and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 for measuring the flow rate is provided in one of them. However, the measurement target gas 30 may pass through only the surface side of the measurement surface 430 instead of dividing the measurement target gas 30 into two passages. By curving the bypass passage to follow a second axis across a first axis of the flow direction of the main passage 124, it is possible to gather a foreign object mixed in the measurement target gas 30 to the side where the curve of the second axis is insignificant. By providing the measurement surface 430 and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 in the side where the curve of the second axis is significant, it is possible to reduce influence of a foreign object.

In this embodiment, the measurement surface 430 and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 are provided in a link portion between the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 and the bypass passage trench on backside 334. However, the measurement surface 430 and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 may be provided in the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 or the bypass passage trench on backside 334 instead of the link portion between the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 and the bypass passage trench on backside 334.

An orifice shape is formed in a part of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided in the measurement surface 430 to measure a flow rate, so that the flow velocity increases due to the orifice effect, and the measurement accuracy is improved. In addition, even if a vortex is generated in a flow of the gas in the upstream side of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the vortex using the orifice and improve measurement accuracy.

Referring to FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B), an outer wall hollow portion 366 is provided, where the upstream-side outer wall 335 has a hollow shape hollowed to the downstream side in a neck portion of the temperature detecting portion 452. Due to this outer wall hollow portion 366, a distance between the temperature detecting portion 452 and the outer wall hollow portion 366 increases, so that it is possible to reduce influence of the heat transferred via the upstream-side outer wall 335.

Although the circuit package 400 is enveloped by the fixing portion 372 for fixation of the circuit package 400, it is possible to increase a force for fixing the circuit package 400 by further fixing the circuit package 400 using the outer wall hollow portion 366. The fixing portion 372 envelopes the circuit package 400 along a flow axis of the measurement target gas 30. Meanwhile, the outer wall hollow portion 366 envelops the circuit package 400 across the flow axis of the measurement target gas 30. That is, the circuit package 400 is enveloped such that the enveloping direction is different with respect to the fixing portion 372. Since the circuit package 400 is enveloped along the two different directions, the fixing force is increased. Although the outer wall hollow portion 366 is a part of the upstream-side outer wall 335, the circuit package 400 may be enveloped in a direction different from that of the fixing portion 372 using the downstream-side outer wall 336 instead of the upstream-side outer wall 335 in order to increase the fixing force. For example, a plate portion of the circuit package 400 may be enveloped by the downstream-side outer wall 336, or the circuit package 400 may be enveloped using a hollow hollowed in the upstream direction or a protrusion protruding to the upstream direction provided in the downstream-side outer wall 336. Since the outer wall hollow portion 366 is provided in the upstream-side outer wall 335 to envelop the circuit package 400, it is possible to provide an effect of increasing a thermal resistance between the temperature detecting portion 452 and the upstream-side outer wall 335 in addition to fixation of the circuit package 400.

Since the outer wall hollow portion 366 is provided in a neck portion of the temperature detecting portion 452, it is possible to reduce influence of the heat transferred from the flange 312 or the thermal insulation 315 through the upstream-side outer wall 335. Furthermore, a temperature measurement hollow 368 formed by a notch between the upstream-side protrusion 317 and the temperature detecting portion 452 is provided. Using the temperature measurement hollow 368, it is possible to reduce heat transfer to the temperature detecting portion 452 through the upstream-side protrusion 317. As a result, it is possible to improve detection accuracy of the temperature detecting portion 452. In particular, since the upstream-side protrusion 317 has a large cross section, it easily transfers heat, and a functionality of the temperature measurement hollow 368 that suppress heat transfer becomes important.

3.2 Structure and Effects of Air Flow Sensing Portion of Bypass Passage

FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) are partially enlarged views illustrating a state that the surface 430 of the circuit package 400 is arranged inside the bypass passage trench as a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B). It is noted that FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) are a conceptual diagram omitted and simplified compared to the specific configuration of FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B), and details may be slightly modified. The left side of FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) is a terminated end portion of the bypass passage trench on backside 334, and the right side is a starting end portion of the bypass passage trench on frontside 332. Although not illustrated clearly in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the hole 342 and the hole 341 are provided in both the left and right sides of the circuit package 400 having the measurement surface 430, and the bypass passage trench on backside 334 and the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 are connected to the left and right sides of the circuit package 400 having the measurement surface 430.

The measurement target gas 30 that is received from the inlet port 350 and flows through the bypass passage on backside including the bypass passage trench on backside 334 is guided from the left side of FIG. 7. A part of the measurement target gas 30 flows to a flow path 386 including the front side of the measurement surface 430 of the circuit package 400 and a protrusion 356 provided in the front cover 303 through the hole 342. The other measurement target gas 30 flows to a flow path 387 formed by the backside of measurement surface 431 and the rear cover 304. Then, the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the flow path 387 moves to the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 through the hole 341 and is combined with the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the flow path 386, so that it flows through the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 and is discharged from the outlet port 352 to the main passage 124. Further, the protrusion 358 provided in the rear cover 304 protrudes to the backside of measurement surface 431 in the flow path 387.

Since the bypass passage trench is molded such that the measurement target gas 30 guided from the bypass passage trench on backside 334 to the flow path 386 through the hole 342 passes through the flow path curved wider than that guiding to the flow path 387, a substance having a heavy mass such as a contaminant contained in the measurement target gas 30 is gathered in the flow path 387 being less curved. For this reason, there is nearly no flow of the foreign object into the flow path 386.

The flow path 386 is structured to have an orifice molded such that the front cover 303 is provided successively to the leading end portion of the bypass passage trench on frontside 332, and the protrusion 356 smoothly protrudes to the measurement surface 430 side. The measurement surface 430 is arranged in one side of the orifice portion of the flow path 386 and is provided with the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 for performing heat transfer between the air flow sensing portion 602 and the measurement target gas 30. In order to perform measurement of the air flow sensing portion 602 with high accuracy, the measurement target gas 30 in the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 preferably makes a laminar flow having a little vortex. In addition, with the flow velocity being faster, the measurement accuracy is more improved. For this reason, the orifice is molded such that the protrusion 356 provided in the front cover 303 to face the measurement surface 430 smoothly protrudes to the measurement surface 430. This orifice reduces a vortex in the measurement target gas 30 to approximate the flow to a laminar flow. Furthermore, since the flow velocity increases in the orifice portion, and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 for measuring the flow rate is arranged in the orifice portion, the measurement accuracy of the flow rate is improved.

Since the orifice is molded such that the protrusion 356 protrudes to the inside of the bypass passage trench to face the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided on the flow passage surface 430, it is possible to improve measurement accuracy. The protrusion 356 for molding the orifice is provided on the cover facing the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided on the flow passage surface 430. In FIG. 7, since the cover facing the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided on the flow passage surface 430 is the front cover 303, the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is provided in the front cover 303. Alternatively, the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 may also be provided in the cover facing the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided on the flow passage surface 430 of the front or rear cover 303 or 304. Depending on which of the surfaces is provided with the flow passage surface 430 and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 in the circuit package 400, the cover that faces the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is changed.

A distribution of the measurement target gas 30 between the flow paths 386 and 387 also relates to the high accuracy measurement. A distribution of the measurement target gas 30 between the flow paths 386 and 387 may be adjusted by causing the protrusion 358 provided in the rear cover 304 to protrude to the flow path 387. In addition, since the orifice portion is provided in the flow path 387, it is possible to increase the flow velocity and guide a foreign object such as a contaminant to the flow path 387. In the embodiment, the orifice formed by the protrusion 358 is used as one of means for adjustment between the flow paths 386 and 387. Alternatively, the aforementioned distribution of the flow rate between the flow paths 386 and 387 may be adjusted by adjusting a width between the backside of measurement surface 431 and the rear cover 304 and the like. In this case, the protrusion 358 provided in the rear cover 304 is not necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B), a press imprint 442 of the die used in the resin molding process for the circuit package 400 remains on the backside of measurement surface 431 as a rear surface of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided on the measurement surface 430. The press imprint 442 does not particularly hinder the measurement of the flow rate and does not make any problem even when the press imprint 442 remains. In addition, as described below, it is important to protect a semiconductor diaphragm of the air flow sensing portion 602 when the circuit package 400 is molded through resin molding. For this reason, pressing of the rear surface of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is important. Furthermore, it is very important to prevent resin that covers the circuit package 400 from flowing to the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436. For this viewpoint, the inflow of the resin is suppressed by enveloping the measurement surface 430 including the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 using a die and pressing the rear surface of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 using another die. Since the circuit package 400 is made through transfer molding, a pressure of the resin is high, and pressing from the rear surface of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is important. In addition, since a semiconductor diaphragm is used in the air flow sensing portion 602, a ventilation passage for a gap created by the semiconductor diaphragm is preferably molded. In order to hold and fix a plate and the like for molding the ventilation passage, pressing from the rear surface of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is important.

3.3 Shapes and Effects of Front and Rear Covers 303 and 304

FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C) are diagrams illustrating an appearance of the front cover 303, in which FIG. 8(A) is a left side view, FIG. 8(B) is a front view, and FIG. 8(C) is a plan view. FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) are diagrams illustrating an appearance of the rear cover 304, in which FIG. 9(A) is a left side view, FIG. 9(B) is a front view, and FIG. 9(C) is a plan view. In FIGS. 8(A), 8(B), 8(C), 9(A), 9(B), and 9(C), the front or rear cover 303 or 304 is used to form the bypass passage by covering the bypass passage trench of the housing 302. In addition, the front or rear cover 303 or 304 is used to provide an orifice provided in the protrusion 356. For this reason, it is preferable to increase molding accuracy. Since the front or rear cover 303 or 304 is formed through a resin molding process by injecting a thermoplastic resin into a die, it is possible to form the front or rear cover 303 or 304 with high molding accuracy.

The front protection portion 322 or the rear protection portion 325 is formed in the front or rear cover 303 or 304 illustrated in FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C) or 9(A) to 9(C). As illustrated in FIG. 2(A), 2(B), 3(A), or 3(B), the front protection portion 322 provided in the front cover 303 is arranged on the front side surface of the inlet port 343, and the rear protection portion 325 provided in the rear cover 304 is arranged in the back side surface of the inlet port 343. The temperature detecting portion 452 arranged inside the inlet port 343 is protected by the front protection portion 322 and the rear protection portion 325, so that it is possible to prevent a mechanical damage of the temperature detecting portion 452 caused when the temperature detecting portion 452 collides with something during production or loading on a vehicle.

The inner side surface of the front cover 303 is provided with the protrusion 356. As illustrated in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the protrusion 356 is arranged to face the measurement surface 430 and has a shape extending along an axis of the flow path of the bypass passage. An orifice is formed in the flow path 386 described above using the measurement surface 430 and the protrusion 356 so as to reduce a vortex generated in the measurement target gas 30 and generate a laminar flow. In this embodiment, the bypass flow path having the orifice portion is divided into a trench portion and a lid portion that covers the trench to form a flow path having an orifice, and the trench portion is formed through a second resin molding process for forming the housing 302. Then, the front cover 303 having the protrusion 356 is formed through another resin molding process, and the trench is covered by using the front cover 303 as a lid of the trench to form the bypass passage. In the second resin molding process for forming the housing 302, the circuit package 400 having the measurement surface 430 is also fixed to the housing 302. Since formation of the trench having such a complicated shape is performed through a resin molding process, and a protrusion 356 for the orifice is provided in the front cover 303, it is possible to form the flow path 386 of FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) with high accuracy. In addition, since an arrangement relationship between the trench and the measurement surface 430 or the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 can be maintained with high accuracy, it is possible to reduce a variation of the product and as a result obtain a high measurement result. Therefore, it is possible to improve productivity.

This is similarly applied to the molding of the flow path 387 using the rear cover 304 and the backside of measurement surface 431. The flow path 386 is divided into a trench portion and a lid portion. The trench portion is formed through the second resin molding process in which the housing 302 is molded. Then, the flow path 387 is molded to cover the trench using the rear cover 304 having the protrusion 358. By forming the flow path 387 in this manner, it is possible to form the flow path 386 with high accuracy and also improve productivity. Further, although the orifice is provided in the flow path 387 in this embodiment, the flow path 387 having no orifice may be used without using the protrusion 358.

In FIG. 8(B), a notch 323 for molding the outlet port 352 is provided on the leading end side of the front cover 303. As illustrated in FIG. 2(B), the outlet port 352 is widened on the front surface side of the housing 302 from the notch 323 as well as the right surface of the housing 302. With this configuration, the fluid resistance of the entire bypass passage is reduced, the measurement target gas 30 guided from the inlet port 350 into the bypass passage is increased. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the flow rate is improved.

3.4 Structure and Effects of Terminal Connector 320

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the terminal connector 320 of the housing 302 illustrated in FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B). However, a difference from the description of FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B) is as follows. Specifically, in FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B), the inner sockets of external terminals 361 are separated from each other. However, FIG. 10 illustrates the respective inner sockets of external terminals 361 which are not separated yet, and respective the inner sockets of external terminals 361 are connected to each other through a link portion 365. The inner sockets of external terminals 361 protruding to the circuit package 400 of the external terminal 306 are overlapped with connection terminals 412, or close to the connection terminals 412, and then each external terminal 306 is fixed to the housing 302 through resin molding in a second molding process. In order to prevent deformation or a deviation of arrangement of each external terminal 306, according to an embodiment, the external terminal 306 is fixed to the housing 302 by the resin molding process (the second resin molding process) for molding the housing 302 in a state where the inner sockets of external terminals 361 are connected to each other through the link portion 365. Alternatively, the external terminal 306 may be fixed to the housing 302 by the second molding process after the connection terminal 412 and the inner sockets of external terminals 361 are fixed.

3.5 Inspection of Finished Product through First Resin Molding Process

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the number of terminals provided in the circuit package 400 is larger than the number of inner sockets of external terminals 361. Out of the terminals of the circuit package 400, each of the connection terminals 412 is connected to each of the inner sockets of external terminals 361, and the terminals 414 are not connected to the inner sockets of external terminals 361. That is, although the terminals 414 are provided in the circuit package 400, they are not connected to the inner sockets of external terminals 361.

In FIG. 10, in addition to the connection terminal 412 connected to the inner socket of external terminal 361, the terminal 414 not connected to the inner socket of external terminal 361 is provided. After the circuit package 400 is produced through the first resin molding process, it is inspected whether or not the circuit package 400 is appropriately operated, and whether or not an abnormality in electrical connection is generated in the first resin molding process. As a result, it is possible to maintain high reliability for each circuit package 400. The terminal 414 not connected to the inner socket of external terminal 361 is used in such an inspection of the circuit package 400. Since the terminal 414 is not used after the inspection work, these unused terminals 414 may be cut out at the base of the circuit package 400 after the inspection or may be buried in the resin serving as the terminal side fixing portion 362 as illustrated in FIG. 10. By providing the terminal 414 not connected to the inner socket of external terminal 361 in this manner, it is possible to inspect whether or not an abnormality is generated in the circuit package 400 produced through the first resin molding process and maintain high reliability.

3.6 Communication Structure Between Gap Inside Housing 302 and Outside of Thermal Flow Meter 300

As illustrated in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 10, a hole 364 is provided in the housing 302. The hole 364 is connected to the opening 309 provided in the inside of the external connector 305 illustrated in FIG. 4(A). According to the embodiment, both sides of the housing 302 are sealed with the front and rear covers 303 and 304. If the hole 364 is not provided, a difference is generated between the air pressure inside the gap and the atmospheric air pressure due to a temperature change of the air inside the gap including the terminal connector 320. It is preferable to reduce such a pressure difference. For this reason, the hole 364 connected to the opening 309 provided in the inside of the external connector 305 is provided inside the gap of the housing 302. The external connector 305 has structure resistant to an adverse effect of water and the like in order to improve reliability in electrical connection. By providing the opening 309 inside the external connector 305, it is possible to prevent intrusion of water and a foreign object such as a contaminant or dust from the opening 309.

4. Structure for Fixing Circuit Package 400 Using Housing 302

4.1 Structure for Fixing Circuit Package 400 Using Fixing Portion of Housing 302

Next, fixation of the circuit package 400 to the housing 302 through a resin molding process will be described again with reference to FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B). The circuit package 400 is arranged in and fixed to the housing 302 such that the measurement surface 430 formed on the front surface of the circuit package 400 is arranged in a predetermined position of the bypass passage trench for forming the bypass passage, for example, a link portion between the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 and the bypass passage trench on backside 334 in the embodiment of FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B). A portion for burying and fixing the circuit package 400 into the housing 302 through a resin molding is provided as a fixing portion 372 for burying and fixing the circuit package 400 into the housing 302 in the side slightly closer to the flange 312 from the bypass passage trench. The fixing portion 372 is buried so as to cover the outer circumference of the circuit package 400 formed through the first resin molding process.

As illustrated in FIG. 5(B), a hollow 376 and a hollow 378 are provided in the front surface of the fixing portion 372. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6(B), a hollow 373 is molded in the rear surface of the fixing portion 372. With these hollows, it is possible to alleviate contraction caused when a temperature of the resin is cooled during molding of the fixing portion 372, and to reduce a stress concentration applied to the circuit package 400. Furthermore, by limiting the flow of the resin using the die for molding the hollow, a speed of reduction in temperature of the resin is alleviated and it is possible to easily make the resin of the fixing portion 372 flow to the inside of unevenness provided in the surface of the circuit package 400.

The entire surface of the circuit package 400 is not covered by a resin used to form the housing 302, but a portion where the outer wall of the circuit package 400 is exposed is provided in the flange 312 side of the fixing portion 372. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B), the area of a portion exposed from the resin of the housing 302 but not enveloped by the housing 302 is larger than the area of a portion enveloped by the resin of the housing 302 out of the outer circumferential surface of the circuit package 400. Furthermore, a portion of the measurement surface 430 of the circuit package 400 is also exposed from the resin of the housing 302.

Since the circumference of the circuit package 400 is enveloped in the second resin molding process for forming the housing 302 by molding the hollows in the front surface and the rear surface of the fixing portion 372 that envelopes the outer wall of the circuit package 400 across the entire circumference in a thin band shape, it is possible to alleviate an excessive stress concentration caused by volume contraction in the course of solidification of the fixing portion 372. The excessive stress concentration may adversely affect the circuit package 400.

4.2 Improvement of Adherence of Housing 302 and Circuit Package 400

In order to more robustly fix the circuit package 400 with a small area by reducing the area of a portion enveloped by the resin of the housing 302 of the outer circumferential surface of the circuit package 400, it is preferable to increase adherence of the circuit package 400 to the outer wall in the fixing portion 372. When a thermoplastic resin is used to form the housing 302, it is preferable that the thermoplastic resin be penetrated into fine unevennesses on the outer wall of the circuit package 400 while it has low viscosity, and the thermoplastic resin be solidified while it is penetrated into the fine unevennesses of the outer wall. In the resin molding process for forming the housing 302, it is preferable that the inlet port of the thermoplastic resin be provided in the fixing portion 372 and in the vicinity thereof. The viscosity of the thermoplastic resin increases as the temperature decreases, so that it is solidified. Therefore, by flowing the thermoplastic resin having a high temperature into the fixing portion 372 or from the vicinity thereof, it is possible to solidify the thermoplastic resin having low viscosity while it abuts on the outer wall of the circuit package 400. In addition, by molding the hollow 376, the hollow 378, and the hollow 373 to the fixing portion 372, an obstacle portion for limiting the flow of thermoplastic resin is formed using the die for making these hollows, and thus a movement speed of the thermoplastic resin in the fixing portion 372 is reduced. As a result, a temperature decrease of the thermoplastic resin is suppressed, and a low viscosity state is maintained, so that adherence between the circuit package 400 and the fixing portion 372 is improved.

By roughening the outer wall surface of the circuit package 400, it is possible to improve adherence between the circuit package 400 and the fixing portion 372. As a method of roughening the outer wall surface of the circuit package 400, there is known a roughening method for forming fine unevennesses on the surface of the circuit package 400, such as a satin-finish treatment, after forming the circuit package 400 through the first resin molding process. As the roughening method for forming fine unevennesses on the surface of the circuit package 400, for example, the roughening may be achieved using sand blasting. Furthermore, the roughening may be achieved through a laser machining.

As another roughening method, an uneven sheet is attached on an inner surface of the die used in the first resin molding process, and the resin is pressed to the die having the sheet on the surface. Even using this method, it is possible to form and roughen fine unevennesses on a surface of the circuit package 400. Alternatively, unevennesses may be attached on an inner side of the die for forming the circuit package 400 to roughen the surface of the circuit package 400. The surface portion of the circuit package 400 for such roughening is at least a portion where the fixing portion 372 is provided. In addition, the adherence is further strengthened by roughening a surface portion of the circuit package 400 where the outer wall hollow portion 366 is provided.

When the unevenness machining is performed for the surface of the circuit package 400 using the aforementioned sheet, the depth of the trench depends on the thickness of the sheet. If the thickness of the sheet increases, the molding of the first resin molding process becomes difficult, so that the thickness of the sheet has a limitation. If the thickness of the sheet decreases, the depth of the unevenness provided on the sheet in advance has a limitation. For this reason, when the aforementioned sheet is used, it is preferable that the depth of the unevenness between the bottom and the top of the unevenness be set to 10 μm or larger and 20 μm or smaller. In the depth smaller than 10 μm, the adherence effect is degraded. The depth larger than 20 μm is difficult to obtain from the aforementioned thickness of the sheet.

In roughening methods other than the aforementioned method of using the sheet, it is preferable to set a thickness of the resin in the first resin molding process for forming the circuit package 400 to 2 mm or smaller. For this reason, it is difficult to increase the depth of the unevenness between the bottom and the top of the unevenness to 1 mm or larger. Conceptually, it is anticipated that adherence between the resin that covers the circuit package 400 and the resin used to form the housing 302 increases as the depth of the unevenness between the bottom and the top of the unevenness on the surface of the circuit package 400 increases. However, for the reason described above, the depth of the unevenness between the bottom and the top of the unevenness is preferably set to 1 mm or smaller. That is, if the unevenness having a thickness of 10 μm or larger and 1 mm or smaller is provided on the surface of the circuit package 400, it is preferable to increase adherence between the resin that covers the circuit package 400 and the resin used to form the housing 302.

A thermal expansion coefficient is different between the thermosetting resin used to mold the circuit package 400 and the thermoplastic resin used to mold the housing 302 having the fixing portion 372. It is preferable to prevent an excessive stress generated from this difference of the thermal expansion coefficient from being applied to the circuit package 400. With the hollow 373, the hollow 378, and the hollow 376, it is possible to reduce the stress applied to the circuit package 400.

By forming the fixing portion 372 that envelops the outer circumference of the circuit package 400 in a band shape and narrowing the width of the band, it is possible to alleviate a stress caused by a difference of the thermal expansion coefficient applied to the circuit package 400. A width of the band of the fixing portion 372 is set to 10 mm or smaller, and preferably 8 mm or smaller. In this embodiment, since the outer wall hollow portion 366 as a part of the upstream-side outer wall 335 of the housing 302 as well as the fixing portion 372 envelops the circuit package 400 to fix the circuit package 400, it is possible to further reduce the width of the band of the fixing portion 372. The circuit package 400 can be fixed, for example, if the width is set to 3 mm or larger.

In order to reduce a stress caused by the difference of the thermal expansion coefficient, a portion covered by the resin used to form the housing 302 and an exposed portion without covering are provided on the surface of the circuit package 400. A plurality of portions where the surface of the circuit package 400 is exposed from the resin of the housing 302 are provided, and one of them is to the measurement surface 430 having the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 described above. In addition, a portion exposed to a part of the flange 312 side relative to the fixing portion 372 is provided. Furthermore, the outer wall hollow portion 366 is formed to expose a portion of the upstream side relative to the outer wall hollow portion 366, and this exposed portion serves as a support portion that supports the temperature detecting portion 452. A gap is formed such that a portion of the outer surface of the circuit package 400 in the flange 312 side relative to the fixing portion 372 surrounds the circuit package 400 across its outer circumference, particularly, the side facing the flange 312 from the downstream side of the circuit package 400 and further across the upstream side of the portion close to the terminal of the circuit package 400. Since the gap is formed around the portion where the surface of the circuit package 400 is exposed, it is possible to reduce the heat amount transferred to the circuit package 400 through the flange 312 from the main passage 124 and suppress degradation of measurement accuracy caused by the heat.

A gap is formed between the circuit package 400 and the flange 312, and this gap serves as a terminal connector 320. The connection terminal 412 of the circuit package 400 and the inner socket of external terminal 361 positioned in the housing 302 side of the external terminal 306 are electrically connected to each other using this terminal connector 320 through spot welding, laser welding, and the like. The gap of the terminal connector 320 can suppress heat transfer from the housing 302 to the circuit package 400 as described above and is provided as a space that can be used to perform a connection work between the connection terminal 412 of the circuit package 400 and the inner socket of external terminal 361 of the external terminal 306.

4.3 Molding of Housing 302 through Second Resin Molding Process and Improvement in Measurement Accuracy

In the housing 302 illustrated in FIGS. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), and 6(B) described above, the circuit package 400 having the air flow sensing portion 602 or the processing unit 604 is manufactured through the first resin molding process. Then, the housing 302 having, for example, the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 or the bypass passage trench on backside 334 for forming the bypass passage where the measurement target gas 30 flows are manufactured through the second resin molding process. Through this second resin molding process, the circuit package 400 is embedded into the resin of the housing 302 and is fixed to the inside of the housing 302 through resin molding. As a result, the air flow sensing portion 602 performs heat transfer with the measurement target gas 30, so that a configuration relationship such as a positional relationship or a directional relationship between the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 for measuring the flow rate and the bypass passage including, for example, the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 or the bypass passage trench on backside 334 can be maintained with remarkably high accuracy. In addition, it is possible to suppress an error or deviation generated in each circuit package 400 to a very small value. As a result, it is possible to remarkably improve measurement accuracy of the circuit package 400. For example, compared to a conventional method in which fixation is performed using an adhesive, it is possible to improve measurement accuracy twice or more. Since the thermal flow meter 300 is typically manufactured in large quantities, the method of using an adhesive along with strict measurement has a limitation in improvement of measurement accuracy. However, if the circuit package 400 is manufactured through the first resin molding process as in this embodiment, and the bypass passage is then formed in the second resin molding process for forming the bypass passage where the measurement target gas 30 flows while the circuit package 400 and the bypass passage are fixed, it is possible to remarkably reduce a variation of the measurement accuracy and remarkably improve the measurement accuracy of each thermal flow meter 300. This similarly applies to the embodiment of FIG. 7 as well as the embodiment of FIG. 5 or 6.

Further referring to the embodiment of, for example, FIG. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), or 6(B), it is possible to fix the circuit package 400 to the housing 302 such that a relationship between the bypass passage trench on frontside 332, the bypass passage trench on backside 334, and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is set to a specific relationship. As a result, in each of the thermal flow meters 300 produced in large quantities, a positional relationship or a configuration relationship between the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 of each circuit package 400 and the bypass passage can be regularly obtained with remarkably high accuracy. Since the bypass passage trench where the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 of the circuit package 400 is fixed, for example, the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 and the bypass passage trench on backside 334 can be formed with remarkably high accuracy, a work of forming the bypass passage in this bypass passage trench is a work for covering both sides of the housing 302 using the front or rear cover 303 or 304. This work is very simple and is a work process having a few factors of degrading the measurement accuracy. In addition, the front or rear cover 303 or 304 is produced through a resin molding process having high formation accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to form the bypass passage provided in a specific relationship with the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 of the circuit package 400 with high accuracy. In this manner, it is possible to obtain high productivity in addition to improvement of measurement accuracy.

In comparison, in the related art, the thermal flow meter was produced by fabricating the bypass passage and then bonding the measuring portion to the bypass passage using an adhesive. Such a method of using an adhesive is disadvantageous because a thickness of the adhesive is irregular, and a position or angle of the adhesive is different in each product. For this reason, there was a limitation in improvement of the measurement accuracy. If this work is performed in mass production, it is further difficult to improve the measurement accuracy.

In the embodiment according to the invention, first, the circuit package 400 having the air flow sensing portion 602 is produced through a first resin molding process, and the circuit package 400 is then fixed through resin molding while the bypass passage trench for forming the bypass passage through resin molding is formed through a second resin molding process. As a result, it is possible to form the shape of the bypass passage trench and fix the air flow sensing portion 602 to the bypass passage trench with significantly high accuracy.

A portion relating to the measurement of the flow rate, such as the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 of the air flow sensing portion 602 or the measurement surface 430 installed in the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, is formed on the surface of the circuit package 400. Then, the measurement surface 430 and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 are exposed from the resin used to form the housing 302. That is, the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 and the measurement surface 430 around the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 are not covered by the resin used to form the housing 302. The measurement surface 430 formed through the resin molding of the circuit package 400, the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, or the temperature detecting portion 452 is directly used even after the resin molding of the housing 302 to measure a flow rate of the thermal flow meter 300 or a temperature. As a result, the measurement accuracy is improved.

In the embodiment according to the invention, the circuit package 400 is integratedly formed with the housing 302 to fix the circuit package 400 to the housing 302 having the bypass passage. Therefore, it is possible to fix the circuit package 400 to the housing 302 with a small fixation area. That is, it is possible to increase the surface area of the circuit package 400 that does not make contact with the housing 302. The surface of the circuit package 400 that does not make contact with the housing 302 is exposed to, for example, a gap. The heat of the intake pipe is transferred to the housing 302 and is then transferred from the housing 302 to the circuit package 400. Even if the contact area between the housing 302 and the circuit package 400 is reduced instead of enveloping the entire surface or most of the surface of the circuit package 400 with the housing 302, it is possible to maintain high reliability with high accuracy and fix the circuit package 400 to the housing 302. For this reason, it is possible to suppress heat transfer from the housing 302 to the circuit package 400 and suppress a decrease of the measurement accuracy.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), or 6(B), the area A of the exposed surface of the circuit package 400 can be set to be equal to or larger than the area B covered by a molding material used to form the housing 302. In the embodiment, the area A is larger than the area B. As a result, it is possible to suppress heat transfer from the housing 302 to the circuit package 400. In addition, it is possible to reduce a stress generated by a difference between a thermal expansion coefficient of the thermosetting resin used to form the circuit package 400 and a thermal expansion coefficient of the thermoplastic resin used to form the housing 302.

4.4 Fixation of Circuit Package 400 through Second Resin Molding Process and Effects Thereof

In FIGS. 11(A), 11(B), and 11(C), the hatching portion indicates a fixation surface 432 and a fixation surface 434 for covering the circuit package 400 using the thermoplastic resin used in the second resin molding process to fix the circuit package 400 to the housing 302 in the second resin molding process. As described above in relation to FIG. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), or 6(B), it is important to maintain high accuracy to provide a specific relationship between the measurement surface 430, the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided in the measurement surface 430, and the shape of the bypass passage. In the second resin molding process, the bypass passage is formed, and the circuit package 400 is fixed to the housing 302 that forms the bypass passage. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a relationship between the bypass passage, the measurement surface 430, and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 with significantly high accuracy. That is, since the circuit package 400 is fixed to the housing 302 in the second resin molding process, it is possible to position and fix the circuit package 400 into the die used to form the housing 302 having the bypass passage with high accuracy. By injecting a thermoplastic resin having a high temperature into this die, the bypass passage is formed with high accuracy, and the circuit package 400 is fixed with high accuracy.

In this embodiment, the entire surface of the circuit package 400 is not a fixation surface 432 covered by the resin used to form the housing 302, but the front surface is exposed to the connection terminal 412 side of the circuit package 400. That is, a portion not covered by the resin used to form the housing 302 is provided. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C), out of the front surface of the circuit package 400, the area that is not enveloped by the resin used to form the housing 302 but is exposed from the resin used to form the housing 302 is larger than the area of the fixation surface 432 and the fixation surface 434 enveloped by the resin used to form the housing 302.

A thermal expansion coefficient is different between the thermosetting resin used to form the circuit package 400 and the thermoplastic resin used to form the housing 302 having the fixing portion 372. It is preferable to prevent a stress caused by this difference of the thermal expansion coefficient from being applied to the circuit package 400 as long as possible. By reducing the front surface of the circuit package 400 and the fixation surface 432, it is possible to reduce influence based on the difference of the thermal expansion coefficient. For example, it is possible to reduce the fixation surface 432 on the front surface of the circuit package 400 by providing a band shape having a width L.

It is possible to increase a mechanical strength of the protrusion 424 by providing the fixation surface 432 in the base of the protrusion 424. It is possible to more robustly fix the circuit package 400 and the housing 302 to each other by providing, on the front surface of the circuit package 400, a band-shaped fixation surface along a flow axis of the measurement target gas 30 and a fixation surface across the flow axis of the measurement target gas 30. On the fixation surface 432, a portion surrounding the circuit package 400 in a band shape having a width L along the measurement surface 430 is the fixation surface along the flow axis of the measurement target gas 30 described above, and a portion that covers the base of the protrusion 424 is the fixation surface across the flow axis of the measurement target gas 30.

In FIGS. 11(A), 11(B), and 11(C), the circuit package 400 is formed through the first resin molding process as described above. It is noted that the hatching portion in the appearance of the circuit package 400 indicates the fixation surface 432 and the fixation surface 434 where the circuit package 400 is covered by the resin used in the second resin molding process when the housing 302 is molded through the second resin molding process after the circuit package 400 is manufactured through the first resin molding process. FIG. 11(A) is a left side view illustrating the circuit package 400, FIG. 11(B) is a front view illustrating the circuit package 400, and the FIG. 11(C) is a rear view illustrating the circuit package 400. The circuit package 400 is embedded with the air flow sensing portion 602 or the processing unit 604 described below, and they are integrally molded using a thermosetting resin. On the surface of the circuit package 400 of FIG. 11(B), the measurement surface 430 serving as a plane for the flow of the measurement target gas 30 is molded in a shape extending in a flow direction of the measurement target gas 30. In this embodiment, the measurement surface 430 has a rectangular shape extending in the flow direction of the measurement target gas 30. The measurement surface 430 is formed to be thinner than other portions as illustrated in FIG. 11(A), and a part thereof is provided with the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436. The embedded air flow sensing portion 602 performs heat transfer to the measurement target gas 30 through the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 to measure a condition of the measurement target gas 30 such as a flow velocity of the measurement target gas 30 and output an electric signal representing the flow rate of the main passage 124.

In order to measure a condition of the measurement target gas 30 with high accuracy using the embedded air flow sensing portion 602 (refer to FIG. 19), the gas flowing through the vicinity of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 preferably makes a laminar flow having a little vortex. For this reason, it is preferable that there be no height difference between the flow path side surface of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 and the plane of the measurement surface 430 that guides the gas. In this configuration, it is possible to suppress an irregular stress or a distortion from being applied to the air flow sensing portion 602 while maintaining high flow rate measurement accuracy. It is noted that the aforementioned height difference may be provided if it does not affect the flow rate measurement accuracy.

On the rear surface of the measurement surface 430 of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, a press imprint 442 of the die that supports an internal substrate or plate during the resin molding of the circuit package 400 remains as illustrated in FIG. 11(C). The heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is used to perform heat exchange with the measurement target gas 30. In order to accurately measure a condition of the measurement target gas 30, it is preferable to appropriately perform heat transfer between the air flow sensing portion 602 and the measurement target gas 30. For this reason, it is necessary to avoid a part of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 from being covered by the resin in the first resin molding process. Dies are installed in both the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 and the backside of measurement surface 431 as a rear surface thereof, and an inflow of the resin to the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is prevented using the dies. A press imprint 442 having a concave shape is molded on the rear surface of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436. In this portion, it is preferable to arrange a device serving as the air flow sensing portion 602 or the like in the vicinity to discharge the heat generated from the device to the outside as much as possible. The molded concave portion is less influenced by the resin and easily discharges heat.

The heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is internally provided with the semiconductor diaphragm serving as the air flow sensing portion 602, and a gap is molded in the rear surface of the semiconductor diaphragm. If the gap is covered, the semiconductor diaphragm is deformed, and the measurement accuracy is degraded due to a change of the pressure inside the gap caused by a change of the temperature. For this reason, in this embodiment, an opening 438 communicating with the gap of the rear surface of the semiconductor diaphragm is provided on the front surface of the circuit package 400, and a link channel for linking the gap of the rear surface of the semiconductor diaphragm and the opening 438 is provided inside the circuit package 400. It is noted that the opening 438 is provided in the portion not hatched in FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) in order to prevent the opening 438 from being covered by the resin through the second resin molding process.

It is necessary to mold the opening 438 through the first resin molding process while an inflow of the resin to the portion of the opening 438 is suppressed by matching dies to both a portion of the opening 438 and a rear surface thereof and pressing the dies. The molding of the opening 438 and the link channel that connects the gap on the rear surface of the semiconductor diaphragm and the opening 438 will be described below.

In the circuit package 400, the press imprint 442 remains on the rear surface of the circuit package 400 where the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is formed. In the first resin molding process, in order to prevent an inflow of the resin to the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, a die such as an insertion die is installed in a portion of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, and a die is installed in a portion of the press imprint 442 opposite thereto, so that an inflow of the resin to the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is suppressed. By molding a portion of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 in this manner, it is possible to measure the flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 with significantly high accuracy. In addition, since the resin does not remain at all or less in the portion of the press imprint 442 through the second resin molding process, a hear radiation effect is increased. In a case where a second plate 536 is used as the lead, the neighboring circuits can be effectively heated and radiated through the lead.

5. Mounting of Circuit Components to Circuit Package

5.1 Mounting of Frame of Circuit Package and Circuit Components

FIG. 12 illustrates a frame 512 of the circuit package 400 and a mounting state of a chip as a circuit component 516 mounted on the frame 512. It is noted that the dotted line 508 indicates a portion covered by the die used to mold the circuit package 400. A lead 514 is mechanically connected to the frame 512, and a plate 532 is mounted in the center of the frame 512. A chip-like air flow sensing portion 602 and a processing unit 604 as a larger scale integrated (LSI) circuit are mounted on the plate 532. A diaphragm 672 is provided in the air flow sensing portion 602, and each terminal of the air flow sensing portion 602 described below and the processing unit 604 are connected using a wire 542. Moreover, each terminal of the processing unit 604 and a corresponding lead 514 are connected using a wire 543. In addition, the lead 514 positioned between a portion corresponding to the connection terminal of the circuit package 400 and the plate 532 is connected to the chip-like circuit component 516 therebetween.

The air flow sensing portion 602 having the diaphragm 672 is arranged in the most leading end side when the circuit package 400 is obtained in this manner. The processing unit 604 is arranged in the side corresponding to the connection terminal for the air flow sensing portion 602 in an LSI state. In addition, a connection wire 543 is arranged in the terminal side of the processing unit 604. By sequentially arranging the air flow sensing portion 602, the processing unit 604, the wire 543, the circuit component 516, and the connection lead 514 in this order from the leading end side of the circuit package 400 to the connection terminal, the entire circuit package 400 becomes simple and concise.

A thick lead is provided to support the plate 532, and this lead is fixed to the frame 512 using the lead 556 or 558. It is noted that a lead surface having the same area as that of the plate 532 connected to the thick lead is provided on the lower surface of the plate 532, and the plate 532 is mounted on the lead surface. This lead surface is grounded. As a result, it is possible to suppress noise by commonly grounding the circuit of the air flow sensing portion 602 or the processing unit 604 using the lead surface, so that measurement accuracy of the measurement target gas 30 is improved. In addition, a lead 544 is provided in the upstream side of the flow path from the plate 532, that is, so as to protrude along an axis directed across the axis of the air flow sensing portion 602, the processing unit 604, or the circuit component 516 described above. A temperature detection element 518, for example, a chip-like thermistor is connected to this lead 544. In addition, a lead 548 is provided in the vicinity of the processing unit 604 which is a base of the protrusion, and the leads 544 and 548 are electrically connected using a thin connection line 546 such as an Au wire. As the leads 548 and 544 are directly connected, the heat is transferred to the temperature detection element 518 through the leads 548 and 544, so that it may be difficult to accurately measure a temperature of the measurement target gas 30. For this reason, by connecting a wire having a small cross-sectional area and a large thermal resistance, it is possible to increase a thermal resistance between the leads 548 and 544. As a result, it is possible to improve temperature measurement accuracy of the measurement target gas 30 so as to prevent influence of the heat from reaching the temperature detection element 518.

The lead 548 is fixed to the frame 512 through the lead 552 or 554. A connection portion between the lead 552 or 554 and the frame 512 is fixed to the frame 512 while it is inclined against the protruding direction of the protruding temperature detection element 518, and the die is also inclined in this area. As the molding resin flows along in this inclination in the first resin molding process, the molding resin of the first resin molding process smoothly flows to the leading end portion where the temperature detection element 518 is provided, so that reliability is improved.

In FIG. 12, an arrow 592 indicates a resin injection direction. The lead frame where a circuit component is mounted is covered by the die, and a pressed fitting hole 590 for resin injection to the die is provided in a circled position, so that a thermosetting resin is injected into the die along the direction of the arrow 592. The circuit component 516 or the temperature detection element 518 and the lead 544 for holding the temperature detection element 518 are provided along the direction of the arrow 592 from the pressed fitting hole 590. In addition, the plate 532, the processing unit 604, and the air flow sensing portion 602 are arranged in a direction close to the arrow 592. In this arrangement, the resin smoothly flows in the first resin molding process. In the first resin molding process, a thermosetting resin is used, so that it is important to widen the resin before solidification. For this reason, arrangement of a circuit component of the lead 514 or a wire and a relationship between the pressed fitting hole 590 and the injection direction become important.

5.2 Structure for Connecting Gap on Rear Surface of Diaphragm and Opening

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a part of the cross section taken along a line C-C of FIG. 12 for describing the diaphragm 672 and a communication hole 676 that connects a gap 674 provided inside the diaphragm 672 and the hole 520.

As described below, the air flow sensing portion 602 for measuring the flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 is provided with a diaphragm 672, and a gap 674 is provided on the rear surface of the diaphragm 672. Although not illustrated, the diaphragm 672 is provided with an element for exchanging heat with the measurement target gas 30 and measuring the flow rate thereby. If the heat is transferred to the elements formed in the diaphragm 672 through the diaphragm 672 separately from the heat exchange with the measurement target gas 30, it is difficult to accurately measure the flow rate. For this reason, it is necessary to increase a thermal resistance of the diaphragm 672 and form the diaphragm 672 as thin as possible.

The diaphragm 672 is buried and fixed into the first resin of the circuit package 400 formed through the first resin molding process, and the surface of the diaphragm 672 is provided with the elements (not illustrated). The elements perform heat transfer with the measurement target gas 30 (not illustrated) through the heat transfer surface 437 on the surface of the elements in the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436. The heat transfer surface 437 may be provided on the surface of each element or may be provided with a thin protection film thereon. It is preferable that heat transfer between the elements and the measurement target gas 30 be smoothly performed, and direct heat transfer between the elements be reduced as much as possible.

A portion of the diaphragm 672 where the elements are provided is arranged in the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 of the measurement surface 430, and the heat transfer surface 437 is exposed from the resin used to form the measurement surface 430. The outer circumference of the diaphragm 672 is covered by the thermosetting resin used in the first resin molding process for forming the measurement surface 430. If only the side face of the diaphragm 672 is covered by the thermosetting resin, and the surface side of the outer circumference of the diaphragm 672 is not covered by the thermosetting resin, a stress generated in the resin used to form the measurement surface 430 is received only by the side face of the diaphragm 672, so that a distortion may generated in the diaphragm 672, and characteristics may be deteriorated. The distortion of the diaphragm 672 is reduced by covering the outer circumference portion of the diaphragm 672 with the thermosetting resin as illustrated in FIG. 13. Meanwhile, if a height difference between the heat transfer surface 437 and the measurement surface 430 where the measurement target gas 30 flows is large, the flow of the measurement target gas 30 is disturbed, so that measurement accuracy is degraded. Therefore, it is preferable that a height difference W between the heat transfer surface 437 and the measurement surface 430 where the measurement target gas 30 flows be small.

The diaphragm 672 is formed thin in order to suppress heat transfer between each element, and a gap 674 is formed in the rear surface of the diaphragm 672. If this gap 674 is sealed, a pressure of the gap 674 formed on the rear surface of the diaphragm 672 changes depending on a temperature change. As a pressure difference between the gap 674 and the surface of the diaphragm 672 increases, the diaphragm 672 receives the pressure, and a distortion is generated, so that high accuracy measurement becomes difficult. For this reason, a hole 520 connected to the opening 438 opened to the outside is provided in the plate 532, and a communication hole 676 that connects this hole 520 and the diaphragm 672 is provided. This communication hole 676 consists of, for example, a pair of plates including first and second plates 534 and 536. The first plate 534 is provided with holes 520 and 521 and a trench for forming the communication hole 676. The communication hole 676 is formed by covering the trench and the holes 520 and 521 with the second plate 536. Using the communication hole 676 and the hole 520, the pressures applied to the front and rear surfaces of the diaphragm 672 becomes approximately equal, so that the measurement accuracy is improved.

As described above, the communication hole 676 can be formed by covering the trench and the holes 520 and 521 with the second plate 536. Alternatively, the lead frame may be used as second plate 536. As described in relation to FIG. 12, the diaphragm 672 and the LSI circuit serving as the processing unit 604 are provided on the plate 532. A lead frame for supporting the plate 532 where the diaphragm 672 and the processing unit 604 are mounted is provided thereunder. Therefore, using the lead frame, the structure becomes simpler. In addition, the lead frame may be used as a ground electrode. If the lead frame serves as the second plate 536, and the communication hole 676 is formed by covering the holes 520 and 521 formed in the first plate 534 using the lead frame and covering the trench formed in the first plate 534 using the lead frame in this manner, it is possible to simplify the entire structure. In addition, it is possible to reduce influence of noise from the outside of the diaphragm 672 and the processing unit 604 because the lead frame serves as a ground electrode.

FIG. 14 illustrates a state that the frame of FIG. 12 is molded with a thermosetting resin through the first resin molding process and is covered by the thermosetting resin. Through this molding, the measurement surface 430 is molded on the front surface of the circuit package 400, and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is provided on the measurement surface 430. In addition, the gap 674 on the rear surface of the diaphragm 672 arranged in the inside of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is connected to the opening 438. The temperature detecting portion 452 for measuring a temperature of the measurement target gas 30 is provided in the leading end of the protrusion 424, and the temperature detection element 518 is embedded inside. Inside the protrusion 424, in order to suppress heat transfer, a lead for extracting the electric signal of the temperature detection element 518 is segmented, and a connection line 546 having a large thermal resistance is arranged. As a result, it is possible to suppress heat transfer from the base of the protrusion 424 to the temperature detecting portion 452 and influence from the heat.

A slope portion 594 or 596 is formed in the base of the protrusion 424. A flow of the resin in the first resin molding process becomes smooth. In addition, the measurement target gas 30 measured by the temperature detecting portion 452 smoothly flows from the protrusion 424 to its base using the slope portion 594 or 596 while the temperature detecting portion 452 is installed and operated in a vehicle, so as to cool the base of the protrusion 424. Therefore, it is possible to reduce influence of the heat to the temperature detecting portion 452. After the state of FIG. 14, the lead 514 is separated from each terminal so as to serve as the connection terminal 412 or the terminal 414.

In the first resin molding process, it is necessary to prevent an inflow of the resin to the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 or the opening 438. For this reason, in the first resin molding process, an inflow of the resin is suppressed in a position of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 or the opening 438. For example, an insertion die larger than the diaphragm 672 is installed, and a press is installed in the rear surface thereof, so that it is pressed from both surfaces. In FIG. 11(C), the press imprint 442 or 441 remains on the rear surface corresponding to the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 or the opening 438 of FIG. 14 or the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 or the opening 438 of FIG. 11(B).

In the surface of the circuit package 400 where the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is formed. In the first resin molding process, in order to prevent an inflow of the resin to the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, a die such as an insertion die is installed in a portion of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, and a die is installed in a portion of the press imprint 442 opposite thereto, so that an inflow of the resin to the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is suppressed. By forming a portion of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 in this manner, it is possible to measure the flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 with significantly high accuracy. In addition, since the resin does not remain at all or less in the portion of the press imprint 442 through the second resin molding process, a hear radiation effect is increased. In a case where a second plate 536 is used as the lead, the neighboring circuits can be effectively heated and radiated through the lead.

In FIG. 14, a cutout surface of the lead separated from the frame 512 is exposed from the resin surface, so that moisture or the like may intrude into the inside on the cutout surface of the lead during the use. It is important to prevent such a problem from the viewpoint of durability or reliability. For example, a portion of the fixation surface 434 of FIG. 14 is covered by the resin through the second resin molding process, and the cutout surface is exposed. In addition, the lead cutout portion of the slope portion 594 or 596 is covered by the resin through the second resin molding process, and the cutout surface between the lead 552 or 554 and the frame 512 illustrated in FIG. 12 is covered by the resin. As a result, it is possible to prevent erosion of the lead 552 or 554 or intrusion of water from the cutout portion. The cutout portion of the lead 552 or 554 adjoins an important lead portion that transmits the electric signal of the temperature detecting portion 452. Therefore, it is preferable that the cutout portion be covered in the second resin molding process.

5.3 Another Embodiment of Circuit Package 400

FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B) illustrate another embodiment of the circuit package 400. Like reference numerals denote like elements as in other drawings. In the embodiment described above in relation to FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C), the connection terminal 412 and the terminal 414 of the circuit package 400 are provided in the same side of the circuit package 400. In comparison, in the embodiment of FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B), the connection terminal 412 and the terminal 414 are provided in different sides. The terminal 414 is a terminal not connected to the connection terminal connected to the outside in the thermal flow meter 300. If the connection terminal 412 connected to the outside in the thermal flow meter 300 and the terminal 414 not connected to the outside are provided in different directions in this manner, it is possible to widen a distance between the connection terminal 412 and the terminal and improve workability. In addition, if the terminal 414 extends to a direction different from that of the connection terminal 412, it is possible to prevent the lead inside the frame 512 from being concentrated on apart and facilitate arrangement of the lead inside the frame 512. In particular, a chip capacitor as the circuit component 516 is connected to a portion of the lead corresponding to the connection terminal 412. A slightly large space is necessary to provide such a circuit component 516. In the embodiment of FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B), it is possible to easily obtain a space for the lead corresponding to the connection terminal 412.

Similarly to the circuit package 400 illustrated in FIG. 11, the circuit package 400 illustrated in FIG. 15 is provided with a slope portion 462 and a slope portion 464 having a smoothly-changing thickness. The slope portions are molded in the neck portion of the protrusion 424 protruding from a circuit package body 422. The same effects as described with reference to FIG. 11 are obtained. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the protrusion 424 protrudes in a shape extending to the upstream direction of the measurement target gas 30 from the side surface of the circuit package body 422. The temperature detecting portion 452 is provided in the leading end portion of the protrusion 424, and the temperature detection element 518 is buried in the inside of the temperature detecting portion 452. The slope portions 462 and 464 are provided in a portion connecting the protrusion 424 and the circuit package body 422. The protrusion 424 is formed such that the base thereof becomes thick by the slope portion 462 or the slope portion 464, and the neck portion of the protrusion 424 is formed gradually thin as it goes to the leading end direction.

With such a shape, in a case where the circuit package 400 is molded through the resin molding, it is possible to use a method of attaching a sheet inside the die for the purpose of protection of the element. In this case, the sheet and the inner surface of the die abut securely, so that the reliability is improved. In addition, the mechanical strength of the protrusion 424 is weak, so that it may be easily folded. The protrusion 424 is made thick in its base portion, and has the shape being gradually thin as it goes to the leading end direction, so that the stress concentration on the base can be alleviated and the mechanical strength becomes excellent. In addition, in a case where the protrusion 424 is formed through the resin molding, the protrusion is easily bent under the influence of a volume change when the resin is solidified. Such an influence can be reduced. In order to detect the temperature of the measurement target gas 30 as accurate as possible, it is preferable that the protrusion be formed long. The heat transfer from the circuit package body 422 onto the temperature detection element 518 provided in the temperature detecting portion 452 becomes easily reduced by forming the protrusion 424 long.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11(B) and 11(C), the base of the protrusion 424 is formed thick and the base of the protrusion 424 is surrounded by the housing 302, and thus the circuit package 400 is fixed to the housing 302. In this way, since the base of the protrusion 424 is covered with the resin of the housing 302, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 424 from taking damage due to the mechanical impact. In addition, various effects described with reference to FIG. 11 are achieved.

Descriptions for the opening 438, the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, the measurement surface 430, the press imprint 441, and the press imprint 442 in FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B) are similar to those described above, and they have the same functional effects. Detailed descriptions will not be repeated for simplicity purposes.

6. Process of Producing Thermal Flow Meter 300

6.1 Process of Producing Circuit Package 400

FIG. 16 illustrates a process of producing the circuit package 400 in a process of producing the thermal flow meter 300. FIG. 17 illustrates a process of producing a thermal flow meter, and FIG. 18 illustrates a process of producing the thermal flow meter according to another embodiment. In FIG. 16, step 1 shows a process of producing a frame of FIG. 12. This frame is formed, for example, through press machining. In step 2, the plate 532 is first mounted on the frame obtained through the step 1, and the air flow sensing portion 602 or the processing unit 604 is further mounted on the plate 532. Then, the temperature detection element 518 and the circuit component such as a chip capacitor are mounted. In step 2, electric wiring is performed between circuit components, between the circuit component and the lead, and between the leads. In step 2, the leads 544 and 548 are connected using a connection line 546 for increasing a thermal resistance. In step 2, the circuit component illustrated in FIG. 12 is mounted on the frame 512, and the electric wiring is further performed, so that an electric circuit is formed.

Then, in step 3, through the first resin molding process, molding using a thermosetting resin is performed. The molded circuit package 400 is illustrated in FIG. 14. In addition, in step 3, each of the connected leads is separated from the frame 512, and the leads are separated from each other, so that the circuit package 400 of FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) or FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B) is obtained. In this circuit package 400, as illustrated in FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) or FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B), the measurement surface 430 or the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is formed.

In step 4, a visual inspection or an operational inspection is performed for the obtained circuit package 400. In the first resin molding process of step 3, a transfer molding is performed. The electric circuit obtained in step 2 is fixed to the inside of the die, and a high temperature resin is injected into the die with a high pressure. Therefore, it is preferable to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality in the electric component or the electric wiring. For this inspection, the terminal 414 is used in addition to the connection terminal 412 of FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) or FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B). It is noted that, because the terminal 414 is not used thereafter, it may be cut out from the base after this inspection. For example, referring to FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B), the terminal 414 is cut out from the base after the use.

6.2 Process of Producing Thermal Flow Meter 300 and Calibration of Measurement Characteristic

In FIG. 17, the circuit package 400 already produced according to FIG. 16 and the external terminal 306 already produced according to a method (not illustrated) are used. In step 5, the housing 302 is formed through the second resin molding process. The housing 302 is formed together with the resin bypass passage trench, the flange 312, and the external connector 305. The hatching portion of the circuit package 400 illustrated in FIG. 11 is covered with the resin through the second resin molding process. The circuit package 400 is fixed to the housing 302. By combining the production (step 3) of the circuit package 400 through the first resin molding process and the molding of the housing 302 of the thermal flow meter 300 through the second resin molding process, the flow rate detection accuracy is remarkably improved. In step 6, each inner socket of external terminal 361 illustrated in FIG. 10 is separated. In step 7, the connection terminal 412 and the inner socket of external terminal 361 are connected.

The housing 302 is obtained in step 7. Then, in step 8, the front cover 303 and the rear cover 304 are installed in the housing 302, so that the inside of the housing 302 is sealed with the front and rear covers 303 and 304, and the bypass passage through which the measurement target gas 30 flows is obtained. In this way, the thermal flow meter 300 is completed. In addition, an orifice structure described in relation to FIG. 7 is formed by the protrusion 356 provided in the front cover 303 or the rear cover 304. It is noted that the front cover 303 is formed through the molding of step 10, and the rear cover 304 is formed through the molding of step 11. In addition, the front and rear covers 303 and 304 are molded through separate processes using different dies.

In step 9, a characteristic test is performed by guiding the gas to the bypass passage in practice. Since a relationship between the bypass passage and the air flow sensing portion is maintained with high accuracy as described above, significantly high measurement accuracy is obtained by performing a characteristic calibration through a characteristic test. In addition, since the molding is performed with a positioning or configuration relationship between the bypass passage and the air flow sensing portion is determined through the first resin molding process and the second resin molding process, the characteristic does not change much even in a long time use, and high reliability is obtained in addition to the high accuracy.

6.3 Another Embodiment of Process of Producing Thermal Flow Meter 300

In FIG. 18, the circuit package 400 already produced according to FIG. 16 and the external terminal 306 already produced according to a method (not illustrated) are used. In step 12 before the second resin molding process, the connection terminal 412 of the circuit package 400 and the inner socket of external terminals 361 are connected. In this case or in the process prior to step 12, each inner socket of external terminal 361 illustrated in FIG. 10 is separated. In step 13, the housing 302 is formed through the second resin molding process. The housing 302 is formed together with the resin bypass passage trench, the flange 312, and the external connector 305. The hatching portion of the circuit package 400 illustrated in FIG. 11 is covered with the resin through the second resin molding process. The circuit package 400 is fixed to the housing 302. By combining the production (step 3) of the circuit package 400 through the first resin molding process and the molding of the housing 302 of the thermal flow meter 300 through the second resin molding process, the flow rate detection accuracy is remarkably improved.

The housing 302 is obtained in step 13. Then, in step 8, the front and rear covers 303 and 304 are installed in the housing 302, so that the inside of the housing 302 is sealed with the front and rear covers 303 and 304, and the bypass passage for flowing the measurement target gas 30 is obtained. In addition, an orifice structure described in relation to FIGS. 7(A), 7(B) is formed by the protrusion 356 provided in the front or rear cover 303 or 304. It is noted that the front cover 303 is formed through the molding of step 10, and the rear cover 304 is formed through the molding of step 11. In addition, the front and rear covers 303 and 304 are formed through separate processes using different dies.

In step 9, a characteristic test is performed by guiding the air to the bypass passage in practice. Since a relationship between the bypass passage and the air flow sensing portion is maintained with high accuracy as described above, significantly high measurement accuracy is obtained by performing a characteristic calibration through a characteristic test. In addition, since the molding is performed with a positioning or configuration relationship between the bypass passage and the air flow sensing portion is determined through the first resin molding process and the second resin molding process, the characteristic does not change much even in a long time use, and high reliability is obtained in addition to the high accuracy.

7. Circuit Configuration of Thermal Flow Meter 300

7.1 Entire Circuit Configuration of Thermal Flow Meter 300

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram illustrating the flow rate detection circuit 601 of the thermal flow meter 300. It is noted that the measurement circuit relating to the temperature detecting portion 452 described in the aforementioned embodiment is also provided in the thermal flow meter 300, but is not illustrated intentionally in FIG. 19. The flow rate detection circuit 601 of the thermal flow meter 300 includes the air flow sensing portion 602 having the heat generator 608 and the processing unit 604. The processing unit 604 control a heat amount of the heat generator 608 of the air flow sensing portion 602 and outputs a signal representing the flow rate through the terminal 662 based on the output of the air flow sensing portion 602. For this processing, the processing unit 604 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as “CPU”) 612, an input circuit 614, an output circuit 616, a memory 618 for storing data representing a relationship between the calibration value or the measurement value and the flow rate, and a power circuit 622 for supplying a certain voltage to each necessary circuit. The power circuit 622 is supplied with DC power from an external power supply such as a vehicle-mount battery through a terminal 664 and a ground terminal (not illustrated).

The air flow sensing portion 602 is provided with a heat generator 608 for heating the measurement target gas 30. A voltage V1 is supplied from the power circuit 622 to a collector of a transistor 606 included in a current supply circuit of the heat generator 608, and a control signal is applied from the CPU 612 to a base of the transistor 606 through the output circuit 616. Based on this control signal, a current is supplied from the transistor 606 to the heat generator 608 through the terminal 624. The current amount supplied to the heat generator 608 is controlled by a control signal applied from the CPU 612 to the transistor 606 of the current supply circuit of the heat generator 608 through the output circuit 616. The processing unit 604 controls the heat amount of the heat generator 608 such that a temperature of the measurement target gas 30 increases by a predetermined temperature, for example, 100° C. from an initial temperature by heating using the heat generator 608.

The air flow sensing portion 602 includes a heating control bridge 640 for controlling a heat amount of the heat generator 608 and a bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650 for measuring a flow rate. A predetermined voltage V3 is supplied to one end of the heating control bridge 640 from the power circuit 622 through the terminal 626, and the other end of the heating control bridge 640 is connected to the ground terminal 630. In addition, a predetermined voltage V2 is applied to one end of the bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650 from the power circuit 622 through the terminal 625, and the other end of the bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650 is connected to the ground terminal 630.

The heating control bridge 640 has a resistor 642 which is a resistance temperature detector having a resistance value changing depending on the temperature of the heated measurement target gas 30, and the resistors 642, 644, 646, and 648 constitute a bridge circuit. A potential difference between a node A between the resistors 642 and 646 and a node B between the resistors 644 and 648 is input to the input circuit 614 through the terminals 627 and 628, and the CPU 612 controls the current supplied from the transistor 606 to control the heat amount of the heat generator 608 such that the potential difference between the nodes A and B is set to a predetermined value, for example, zero voltage in this embodiment. The flow rate detection circuit 601 illustrated in FIG. 19 heats the measurement target gas 30 using the heat generator 608 such that a temperature increases by a predetermined temperature, for example, 100° C. from an initial temperature of the measurement target gas 30 at all times. In order to perform this heating control with high accuracy, resistance values of each resistor of the heating control bridge 640 are set such that the potential difference between the nodes A and B becomes zero when the temperature of the measurement target gas 30 heated by the heat generator 608 increases by a predetermined temperature, for example, 100° C. from an initial temperature at all times. Therefore, in the flow rate detection circuit 601 of FIG. 19, the CPU 612 controls the electric current supplied to the heat generator 608 such that the potential difference between the nodes A and B becomes zero.

The bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650 includes four resistance temperature detectors of resistors 652, 654, 656, and 658. The four resistance temperature detectors are arranged along the flow of the measurement target gas 30 such that the resistors 652 and 654 are arranged in the upstream side in the flow path of the measurement target gas 30 with respect to the heat generator 608, and the resistors 656 and 658 are arranged in the downstream side in the flow path of the measurement target gas 30 with respect to the heat generator 608. In addition, in order to increase the measurement accuracy, the resistors 652 and 654 are arranged such that distances to the heat generator 608 are approximately equal, and the resistors 656 and 658 are arranged such that distances to the heat generator 608 are approximately equal.

A potential difference between a node C between the resistors 652 and 656 and a node D between the resistors 654 and 658 is input to the input circuit 614 through the terminals 631 and 632. In order to increase the measurement accuracy, each resistance of the bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650 is set, for example, such that a positional difference between the nodes C and D is set to zero while the flow of the measurement target gas 30 is set to zero. Therefore, while the potential difference between the nodes C and D is set to, for example, zero, the CPU 612 outputs, from the terminal 662, an electric signal indicating that the flow rate of the main passage 124 is zero based on the measurement result that the flow rate of the measurement target gas 30 is zero.

When the measurement target gas 30 flows along the arrow direction in FIG. 19, the resistor 652 or 654 arranged in the upstream side is cooled by the measurement target gas 30, and the resistors 656 and 658 arranged in the downstream side of the measurement target gas 30 are heated by the measurement target gas 30 heated by the heat generator 608, so that the temperature of the resistors 656 and 658 increases. For this reason, a potential difference is generated between the nodes C and D of the bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650, and this potential difference is input to the input circuit 614 through the terminals 631 and 632. The CPU 612 searches data indicating a relationship between the flow rate of the main passage 124 and the aforementioned potential difference stored in the memory 618 based on the potential difference between the nodes C and D of the bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650 to obtain the flow rate of the main passage 124. An electric signal indicating the flow rate of the main passage 124 obtained in this manner is output through the terminal 662. It is noted that, although the terminals 664 and 662 illustrated in FIG. 19 are denoted by new reference numerals, they are included in the connection terminal 412 of FIG. 5(A), 5(B), 6(A), 6(B), or 10 described above.

The memory 618 stores the data indicating a relationship between the potential difference between the nodes C and D and the flow rate of the main passage 124 and calibration data for reducing a measurement error such as a variation, obtained based on the actual measurement value of the gas after production of the circuit package 400. It is noted that the actual measurement value of the gas after production of the circuit package 400 and the calibration value based thereon are stored in the memory 618 using the external terminal 306 or the calibration terminal 307 illustrated in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B). In this embodiment, the circuit package 400 is produced while an arrangement relationship between the bypass passage for flowing the measurement target gas 30 and the measurement surface 430 or an arrangement relationship between the bypass passage for flowing the measurement target gas 30 and the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is maintained with high accuracy and a little variation. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a measurement result with remarkably high accuracy through calibration using the calibration value.

7.2 Configuration of Flow Rate Detection Circuit 601

FIG. 20 is a circuit configuration diagram illustrating a circuit arrangement of the flow rate detection circuit 601 of FIG. 19 described above. The flow rate detection circuit 601 is manufactured from a semiconductor chip having a rectangular shape. The measurement target gas 30 flows along the arrow direction from the left side to the right side of the flow rate detection circuit 601 illustrated in FIG. 20.

A diaphragm 672 having a rectangular shape is formed in the air flow sensing portion 602. The diaphragm 672 is provided with a thin area 603 (indicated by the dotted line) with the thin semiconductor chip. The gap is formed in the rear surface side of the thin area 603 and communicates with the opening 438 illustrated in FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) or FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B), so that the gas pressure inside the gap depends on the pressure of the gas guided from the opening 438.

By reducing the thickness of the thin area 603 of the diaphragm 672, the thermal conductivity is lowered, and heat transfer to the resistors 652, 654, 658, and 656 provided in the thin area 603 through the diaphragm 672 is suppressed, so that the temperatures of the resistors are approximately set through heat transfer with the measurement target gas 30.

The heat generator 608 is provided in the center of the thin area 603 of the diaphragm 672, and the resistor 642 of the heating control bridge 640 is provided around the heat generator 608. In addition, the resistors 644, 646, and 648 of the heating control bridge 640 are provided in the outer side of the thin area 603. The resistors 642, 644, 646, and 648 formed in this manner constitute the heating control bridge 640.

In addition, the resistors 652 and 654 as upstream resistance temperature detectors and the resistors 656 and 658 as downstream resistance temperature detectors are arranged to interpose the heat generator 608. The resistors 652 and 654 as upstream resistance temperature detectors are arranged in the upstream side in the arrow direction where the measurement target gas 30 flows with respect to the heat generator 608. The resistors 656 and 658 as downstream resistance temperature detectors are arranged in the downstream side in the arrow direction where the measurement target gas 30 flows with respect to the heat generator 608. In this manner, the bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650 is formed by the resistors 652, 654, 656, and 658 arranged in the thin area 603.

Both ends of the heat generator 608 are connected to each of the terminals 624 and 629 illustrated in the lower half of FIG. 20. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the current supplied from the transistor 606 to the heat generator 608 is applied to the terminal 624, and the terminal 629 is grounded.

The resistors 642, 644, 646, and 648 of the heating control bridge 640 are connected to each other and are connected to the terminals 626 and 630. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the terminal 626 is supplied with a predetermined voltage V3 from the power circuit 622, and the terminal 630 is grounded. In addition, the node between the resistors 642 and 646 and the node between the resistors 646 and 648 are connected to the terminals 627 and 628, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the terminal 627 outputs an electric potential of the node A between the resistors 642 and 646, and the terminal 627 outputs an electric potential of the node B between the resistors 644 and 648. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the terminal 625 is supplied with a predetermined voltage V2 from the power circuit 622, and the terminal 630 is grounded as a ground terminal. In addition, a node between the resistors 654 and 658 is connected to the terminal 631, and the terminal 631 outputs an electric potential of the node B of FIG. 19. The node between the resistors 652 and 656 is connected to the terminal 632, and the terminal 632 outputs an electric potential of the node C illustrated in FIG. 19.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, since the resistor 642 of the heating control bridge 640 is formed in the vicinity of the heat generator 608, it is possible to measure the temperature of the gas heated by the heat from the heat generator 608 with high accuracy. Meanwhile, since the resistors 644, 646, and 648 of the heating control bridge 640 are arranged distant from the heat generator 608, they are not easily influenced by the heat generated from the heat generator 608. The resistor 642 is configured to respond sensitively to the temperature of the gas heated by the heat generator 608, and the resistors 644, 646, and 648 are configured not to be influenced by the heat generator 608. For this reason, the detection accuracy of the measurement target gas 30 using the heating control bridge 640 is high, and the control for heating the measurement target gas 30 by only a predetermined temperature from its initial temperature can be performed with high accuracy.

In this embodiment, a gap is formed in the rear surface side of the diaphragm 672 and communicates with the opening 438 illustrated in FIGS. 11(A) to 11(C) or 5(A) and 5(B), so that a difference between the pressure of the gap in the backside of the diaphragm 672 and the pressure in the front side of the diaphragm 672 does not increase. It is possible to suppress a distortion of the diaphragm 672 caused by this pressure difference. This contributes to improvement of the flow rate measurement accuracy.

As described above, the heat conduction through the diaphragm 672 is suppressed as small as possible by molding the thin area 603 and reducing the thickness of the thin area 603 in the diaphragm 672. Therefore, while influence of the heat conduction through the diaphragm 672 is suppressed, the bridge circuit of air flow sensing 650 or the heating control bridge 640 more strongly tends to operate depending on the temperature of the measurement target gas 30, so that the measurement operation is improved. For this reason, high measurement accuracy is obtained.

8. Measuring of Gas Temperature in Thermal Flow Meter 300

8.1 Structure of Temperature Detecting Portion 452 in Thermal Flow Meter 300

In FIGS. 2(A), 2(B), 3(A), and 3(B), the inlet port 343 is positioned in the flange 312 side from the bypass passage provided in the leading end side of the measuring portion 310 and is opened toward an upstream side of the flow of the measurement target gas 30. Inside the inlet port 343, a temperature detecting portion 452 is arranged to measure a temperature of the measurement target gas 30. In the center of the measuring portion 310 where the inlet port 343 is provided, an upstream-side outer wall of the measuring portion 310 included in the housing 302 is hollowed toward the downstream side (that is, the inside of the housing 302), and the temperature detecting portion 452 is formed to protrude toward the upstream side from the upstream-side outer wall having the hollow shape to the outside from the housing 302. In addition, front and rear covers 303 and 304 are provided in both sides of the outer wall having a hollow shape, and the upstream side ends of the front and rear covers 303 and 304 are formed to protrude toward the upstream side from the outer wall having the hollow shape. For this reason, the inlet port 343 for receiving the measurement target gas 30 is molded by the outer wall having the hollow shape and the front and rear covers 303 and 304 in its both sides. The measurement target gas 30 received from the inlet port 343 makes contact with the temperature detecting portion 452 provided inside the inlet port 343 to measure the temperature of the temperature detecting portion 452. Furthermore, the measurement target gas 30 flows along a portion that supports the temperature detecting portion 452 protruding from the outer wall of the housing 302 having a hollow shape to the upstream side, and is discharged to the main passage 124 from a front side outlet port 344 and a backside outlet port 345 provided in the front and rear covers 303 and 304.

8.2 Functional Effects of Temperature Detecting Portion 452

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the temperature detecting portion 452 protrudes to the outside from the housing 302 and makes a direct contact with the measurement target gas 30, so that the detection accuracy is improved. In addition, a temperature of the gas flowing to the inlet port 343 from the upstream side of the direction along the flow of the measurement target gas 30 is measured by the temperature detecting portion 452. Furthermore, the gas flows toward a neck portion of the temperature detecting portion 452 for supporting the temperature detecting portion 452, so that it lowers the temperature of the portion for supporting the temperature detecting portion 452 to the vicinity of the temperature of the measurement target gas 30. The temperature of the intake pipe serving as a main passage 124 typically increases, and the heat is transferred to the portion for supporting the temperature detecting portion 452 through the upstream-side outer wall inside the measuring portion 310 from the flange 312 or the thermal insulation 315, so that the temperature measurement accuracy may be influenced. As described above, the support portion is cooled as the measurement target gas 30 is measured by the temperature detecting portion 452 and then flows along the support portion of the temperature detecting portion 452. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the heat from being transferred to the portion for supporting the temperature detecting portion 452 through the upstream-side outer wall inside the measuring portion 310 from the flange 312 or the thermal insulation 315.

In particular, in the support portion of the temperature detecting portion 452, the upstream-side outer wall inside the measuring portion 310 has a shape concave to the downstream side. Therefore, it is possible to increase a distance between the upstream-side outer wall inside the measuring portion 310 and the temperature detecting portion 452. While the heat conduction length increases, a distance of the cooling portion using the measurement target gas 30 increases. Therefore, it is also possible to reduce influence of the heat from the flange 312 or the thermal insulation 315. Accordingly, the measurement accuracy is improved.

Since the upstream-side outer wall has a shape concave to the downstream side, that is, the inside of the housing 302, it can be fixed by the upstream-side outer wall 335 of the housing 302 and the fixation of the circuit package 400 becomes easy. In addition, it is also effective to the strength of the protrusion 424 (refer to FIG. 11) having the temperature detecting portion 452.

As illustrated above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inlet port 343 is provided on the upstream side of the measurement target gas 30 in the case 301. The measurement target gas 30 guided from the inlet port 343 passes through the vicinity of the temperature detecting portion 452 and is guided to the main passage 124 from the front side outlet port 344 and the backside outlet port 345. The temperature detecting portion 452 measures the temperature of the measurement target gas 30. The electric signal representing the temperature measured by the external terminal 306 of the external connector 305 is output. The case 301 of the thermal flow meter 300 includes the front cover 303, the rear cover 304, and the housing 302. The housing 302 includes the hollow for molding the inlet port 343. The hollow is formed by the outer wall hollow portion 366 (refer to FIGS. 5 and 6). In addition, the front side outlet port 344 or the backside outlet port 345 is molded by the hole provided in the front cover 303 or the rear cover 304. As described above, the temperature detecting portion 452 is provided with the leading end portion of the protrusion 424, and has a weak mechanical strength. The front cover 303 or the rear cover 304 serves to protect the protrusion 424 against the mechanical impact.

In addition, the front protection portion 322 or the rear protection portion 325 is molded in the front or rear cover 303 or 304 illustrated in FIGS. 8(A) to 8(C) or FIGS. 9(A) to 9(C). As illustrated in FIG. 2(A), 2(B), 3(A), or 3(B), the front protection portion 322 provided in the front cover 303 is arranged on the front side surface of the inlet port 343, and the rear protection portion 325 provided in the rear cover 304 is arranged in the backside surface of the inlet port 343. The temperature detecting portion 452 arranged inside the inlet port 343 is protected by the front protection portion 322 and the rear protection portion 325, so that it is possible to prevent a mechanical damage of the temperature detecting portion 452 caused when the temperature detecting portion 452 collides with something during production or loading on a vehicle.

8.3 Formation of Temperature Detecting Portion 452 and Protrusion 424 and Effects Thereof

The circuit package 400 includes the circuit package body 422 and the protrusion 424 embedding the air flow sensing portion 602 and the processing unit 604 for measuring the flow rate. As illustrated in the drawing, the protrusion 424 protrudes in a shape extending to the upstream direction of the measurement target gas 30 from the side surface of the circuit package body 422. The temperature detecting portion 452 is provided in the leading end portion of the protrusion 424, and the temperature detection element 518 is buried in the inside of the temperature detecting portion 452. The slope portions 462 and 464 are provided in a portion connecting the protrusion 424 and the circuit package body 422. The protrusion 424 is formed such that the base thereof becomes thick by the slope portion 462 or the slope portion 464, and the neck portion of the protrusion 424 is formed gradually thin as it goes to the leading end direction.

In addition, in a case where the protrusion 424 is formed through the resin molding, the protrusion is easily bent under the influence of a volume change when the resin is solidified. By making the base thick, such a problem can also be reduced. Furthermore, in order to detect the temperature of the measurement target gas 30 as accurate as possible, it is preferable that the protrusion be formed long. With the thick base, the protrusion 424 can be formed long, and the detection accuracy of the temperature detection element 518 provided in the temperature detecting portion 452 is improved.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11(B) and 11(C), the base of the protrusion 424 is formed thick and the base of the protrusion 424 is surrounded by the housing 302, and thus the circuit package 400 is fixed to the housing 302. In this way, since the base of the protrusion 424 is covered with the resin of the housing 302, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 424 from taking damage due to the mechanical impact.

In order to detect the temperature of the measurement target gas 30 with high accuracy, it is preferably controlled the heat transfer from the main passage 124 installed in the thermal flow meter 300 through the housing 302 or the circuit package 400. The protrusion 424 supporting the temperature detecting portion 452 has the leading end portion thinner than the base thereof. The temperature detecting portion 452 is provided in the leading end portion. With such a structure, the influence of the heat from the neck portion of the protrusion 424 to the temperature detecting portion 452 is reduced.

In addition, after the temperature of the measurement target gas 30 is detected by the temperature detecting portion 452, the measurement target gas 30 flows along the protrusion 424, and the temperature of the protrusion 424 approaches the temperature of the measurement target gas 30. Therefore, the influence of the temperature of the neck portion of the protrusion 424 on the temperature detecting portion 452 is suppressed. Specifically, in the embodiment, the vicinity of the protrusion 424 provided with the temperature detecting portion 452 is formed thin and becomes thicker as it goes to the base of the protrusion 424. For this reason, the measurement target gas 30 flows along the structure of the protrusion 424, and thus the protrusion 424 is efficiently cooled.

The hatching portion of the neck portion of the protrusion 424 is a fixation surface 432 covered by the resin used to mold the housing 302 in the second resin molding process. A hollow is provided in the hatching portion of the neck portion of the protrusion 424. This shows that a portion of the hollow shape not covered by the resin of the housing 302 is provided. If such a portion having a hollow shape not covered by the resin of the housing 302 in the neck portion of the protrusion 424 is provided in this manner, it is possible to further easily cool the protrusion 424 using the measurement target gas 30.

The circuit package 400 is provided with the connection terminal 412 in order to supply electric power for operating the embedded air flow sensing portion 602 or the processing unit 604 and output the flow rate measurement value or the temperature measurement value. In addition, a terminal 414 is provided in order to inspect whether or not the circuit package 400 is appropriately operated, or whether or not an abnormality is generated in a circuit component or connection thereof. In this embodiment, the circuit package 400 is formed by performing transfer molding for the air flow sensing portion 602 or the processing unit 604 using a thermosetting resin through the first resin molding process. By performing the transfer molding, it is possible to improve dimensional accuracy of the circuit package 400. However, in the transfer molding process, since a high pressure resin is pressed into the inside of the sealed die where the air flow sensing portion 602 or the processing unit 604 is embedded, it is preferable to inspect whether or not there is a defect in the air flow sensing portion 602 or the processing unit 604 and such a wiring relationship for the obtained circuit package 400. In this embodiment, an inspection terminal 414 is provided, and inspection is performed for each of the produced circuit packages 400. Since the inspection terminal 414 is not used for measurement, the terminal 414 is not connected to the inner socket of external terminal 361 as described above. In addition, each connection terminal 412 is provided with a curved portion 416 in order to increase a mechanical elastic force. If the mechanical elastic force is provided in each connection terminal 412, it is possible to absorb a stress caused by a difference of the thermal expansion coefficient between the resin of the first resin molding process and the resin of the second resin molding process. That is, each connection terminal 412 is influenced by thermal expansion caused by the first resin molding process, and the inner socket of external terminal 361 connected to each connection terminal 412 is influenced by the resin of the second resin molding process. Therefore, it is possible to absorb generation of a stress caused by the difference of the resin.

8.4 Another Embodiment of Housing 302 Configuring Thermal Flow Meter 300

FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment of the housing 302 which configures the thermal flow meter 300. The same reference numerals indicate the same configuration and the same functional effects are achieved, and thus the descriptions thereof will be omitted. The housing 302 includes a first housing 338 having the bypass passage trench and a second housing 337 positioned on a side near the flange 312. An air passage 327 is molded between the first housing 338 and the second housing 337. The front cover 303 illustrated in FIG. 2 is provided in the surface of the housing 302, and the rear cover 304 illustrated in FIG. 3 is provided in the rear surface of the housing 302. The inlet port 343 illustrated in FIG. 2 is formed in the front cover 303 and the rear cover 304.

The first housing 338 and the second housing 337 is connected to each other by the circuit package 400 and also connected to each other by the front cover 303 and the rear cover 304. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21, while the first housing 338 and the second housing 337 is completely separated by the air passage 327, the second housing 337 and the first housing 338 may be not completely separated but connected on the outlet port side which is opposite to the inlet port. In this case, it is preferable that the opening be provided in the front cover 303 or the rear cover 304 in order to guide the measurement target gas 30 received from the inlet port to the main passage 124.

The air passage 327 is formed long, and thus the measurement target gas 30 guided from the inlet port 343 flows vigorously. Therefore, the temperature of the measurement target gas 30 can be measured by the temperature detecting portion 452 with high accuracy. In addition, the circuit package 400 can be cooled by the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the air passage 327, and the influence of the heat from the wall surface of the main passage 124 to the air flow sensing portion in the inside of the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided in the fixation surface 432 can be reduced. Therefore, the measurement accuracy is also improved.

8.5 Still Another Embodiment of Housing 302 Configuring Thermal Flow Meter 300

FIG. 22 illustrates still another embodiment of the thermal flow meter 300. The same reference numerals indicate the same configuration and the same functional effects are achieved, and thus the detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. The measuring portion 310 is originally formed longer than the shape of FIG. 22, the structure in the vicinity of the flange 312 is similar to that of FIG. 5 or 6, and thus the illustration and the description there of will be omitted. This embodiment is different from the embodiment described above in that the protrusion 424 of the circuit package body 422 in FIGS. 5 and 6 protrudes toward the upstream side of the flow of the measurement target gas 30, but the protrusion 424 protrudes to the center of the main passage 124 in FIG. 22. Further, the shape of the bypass passage is given as merely exemplary, and may be differently formed. In this embodiment, the protrusion 424 protrudes exceedingly to the portion of the bypass passage trench on frontside 332 of the housing 302 forming the bypass passage, the temperature detecting portion 452 provided in the leading end portion of at least the protrusion 424 protrudes to the outside from the housing 302.

A bypass passage trench 328 is formed by two walls (a passage wall 396 and a passage wall 397). In addition, in the embodiment, the front cover 303 and the rear cover 304 are provided on both sides of the housing 302, so that the bypass passage trench 328 forms the bypass passage, and the inlet port 350 and the outlet port 352 are formed. In the bypass passage trench 328, the above-mentioned measurement surface 430 is provided, and the measurement surface 430 includes the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436, so that the speed of the measurement target gas 30 flowing through the bypass passage trench 328 is measured.

When the front cover 303 and the rear cover 304 are provided in the housing 302 illustrated in FIG. 22, the side surface of the protrusion 424 is covered by a cover end 339 (the end portion depicted by the dotted line in the center direction of the main passage 124) of each cover. However, since the center portion of the main passage 124 of the passage wall 397 is opened, the measurement target gas 30 flows along the passage wall 397 and abuts on the temperature detecting portion 452. With such a structure, the protrusion 424 and the temperature detecting portion 452 are protected. In addition, since the bypass passage trench 328 is formed such that the measurement surface 430 is narrow compared to the inlet port and the outlet port, the flow rate is increased in this portion, and the measurement accuracy of the flow rate is improved. The passage wall 397 is hollowed toward the inside in a protrusion portion to the outside (that is, toward the wall surface of the main passage 124) of the temperature detecting portion 452 compared to the outlet port or the inlet port. The temperature detecting portion 452 protrudes to the outside in the hollowed portion. With such a structure, the temperature detecting portion 452 of the protrusion 424 is protected by not only the covers on the both sides, but also the inlet port of the passage wall 397, the outlet port, or both of them.

The neck portion of the protrusion 424 protruding from the circuit package body 422 of the circuit package 400 is covered by the resin forming the bypass passage trench 328. For this reason, the circuit package body 422 and the protrusion 424 is mechanically protected by the resin of the housing 302. Furthermore, an effect that the circuit package 400 is securely fixed to the housing 302 can be obtained.

8.6 Another Embodiment of Temperature Detecting Portion 452 of Protrusion 424

FIG. 23 illustrates another embodiment relating to the temperature detecting portion 452 of the protrusion 424. In the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11, 15, 21, or 22, when the protrusion 424 is produced through the first resin molding process, the temperature detecting portion 452 is covered by the resin used in the first resin molding process. In the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 provided in the measurement surface 430, the heat transfer surface exposing portion 436 is not covered by the resin in the first resin molding process in order to improve the measurement sensitivity of the flow rate. Similarly, since the molding is performed not to cover the temperature detecting portion 452 of the leading end portion of the protrusion 424 with the resin in the first resin molding process, it is possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the temperature detecting portion 452. Since the temperature detecting portion 452 is not covered by the resin, a hollow 454 is molded by the resin of the temperature detecting portion 452. In the portion of the hollow 454, the temperature detection element 518 described with reference to FIG. 12 can abut on the measurement target gas 30 in an almost-directly approaching state, the measurement sensitivity is improved, and the measurement accuracy is improved. Further, the same reference numerals as those in the other drawings represent the same configurations and the same functional effects are obtained, so that the redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY

The present invention is applicable to a measurement apparatus for measuring a gas flow rate as described above.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   300 thermal flow meter -   302 housing -   303 front cover -   304 rear cover -   305 external connector -   306 external terminal -   307 calibration terminal -   310 measuring portion -   320 terminal connector -   327 air passage -   332 bypass passage trench on frontside -   334 bypass passage trench on backside -   337 first housing -   338 second housing -   356,358 protrusion -   359 resin portion -   361 inner socket of external terminal -   365 the link portion -   372, 374 fixing portion -   400 circuit package -   412 connection terminal -   414 terminal -   422 circuit package body -   424 protrusion -   430 measurement surface -   432, 434 fixation surface -   436 heat transfer surface exposing portion -   438 opening -   452 temperature detecting portion -   590 pressed fitting hole -   594, 596 slope portion -   601 flow rate detection circuit -   602 air flow sensing portion -   604 processing unit -   608 heat generator -   640 heating control bridge -   650 bridge circuit of air flow sensing -   672 diaphragm 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A thermal flow meter comprising: a bypass passage into which a measurement target gas flowing through a main passage flows; a circuit package which includes an air flow sensing portion for measuring a flow rate by performing heat transfer with the measurement target gas flowing through the bypass passage, a processing unit for controlling the air flow sensing portion, and a temperature detecting portion including a temperature detection element for detecting a temperature of the measurement target gas; and a case which includes an external terminal for outputting an electric signal representing the flow rate and an electric signal representing a temperature of the measurement target gas and supports the circuit package, wherein the case includes a resin housing which supports the circuit package, the circuit package includes a circuit package body that is molded by a resin and the circuit package is configured to envelope the processing unit and the temperature detecting portion with the resin, the circuit package includes a protrusion protruding toward or from a bottom end of the thermal flow meter and a tip side of the protrusion protrudes to an outside of a wall of the bypass passage in to the main passage by penetrating through the wall of the bypass passage, and the temperature detection element is buried in the protrusion, and at least a leading end portion of the protrusion is exposed in the main passage.
 2. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the circuit package is molded with a first resin, the resin housing includes the bypass passage, a flange, an outer wall, and a fixing portion for fixing the circuit package, the bypass passage, the flange, the outer wall, and the fixing portion are integrally formed with a second resin forming the resin housing which is different from the first resin.
 3. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the circuit package is molded with a first resin, the resin housing includes the bypass passage, a flange, and an outer wall, the bypass passage, the flange, and the outer wall are integrally formed with a second resin forming the resin housing which is different from the first resin, and the circuit package is fixed by being covered by a portion of the outer wall.
 4. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover disposed outside of the protrusion.
 5. The thermal flow meter according to claim 4, wherein a front cover and a back cover are provided on both sides of the leading end portion of the protrusion, and an opening for flowing the measurement target gas is formed by each of the covers.
 6. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion includes internally a lead, and the temperature detection element is electrically connected to the lead in the leading end portion of the protrusion.
 7. The thermal flow meter according to claim 6, wherein the protrusion includes internally a first lead connected to the temperature detection element, a second lead for making electrical connection with an electric circuit in the circuit package body, and a connection line which is provided between the first lead and the second lead in order to electrically connect the first lead and the second lead.
 8. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, wherein a hollow is provided in the resin enveloping the temperature detecting element.
 9. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the leading end portion of the protrusion protrudes to a direction of a center of the main passage.
 10. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, wherein a neck portion of the protrusion is fixed to the resin housing by the wall of the bypass passage.
 11. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the bypass passage is hollowed toward a wall surface of the main passage so that the width of the bypass passage at the point where the protrusion penetrates through the wall of the bypass passage is narrower than that of the outlet port or the inlet port of the bypass passage.
 12. The thermal flow meter according to claim 1, wherein a front cover and a back cover are provided on both sides of the leading end portion of the protrusion, and an outside of the bypass passage is opened to the main passage. 